Battery Configuration Research Articles

Techno-economic evaluation of a Brayton battery configuration with power-to-heat extension

The development of cost-efficient, environmentally friendly, and reliable technologies for utility-scale electricity storage is a key element for future flexible power systems. Brayton cycle-based Pumped Thermal Energy Storage (PTES) offers the potential of making a substantial progress to reach this goal. For further improvements in cost efficiency and flexibility we investigate the additional integration of Power-to-Heat (PtH) into the heat pump cycle. This integration allows a reduction in component size due to higher energy density; however, it also leads to efficiency losses. The objective of this paper is to quantify this tradeoff between round-trip efficiency and cost efficiency for closed-cycle Joule-Brayton PTES configurations and to provide design solutions for the novel PtH component. To this end, a wide-range design study with variable electric heating power and component efficiencies is conducted. In addition to the thermodynamic analysis, an economic assessment is presented, which clarifies the benefits of PtH extension. The results demonstrate a significant reduction of capital expenditures by up to 23 % along with higher system flexibility and a loss in round-trip efficiency of up to 5 %.

Toward Flexible Embodied Energy: Scale‐Inspired Overlapping Lithium‐Ion Batteries with High‐Energy‐Density and Variable Stiffness

AbstractHigh performance flexible batteries are essential ingredients for flexible devices. However, general isolated flexible batteries face critical challenges in developing multifunctional embodied energy systems, owing to the lack of integrative design. Herein, inspired by scales in creatures, overlapping flexible lithium‐ion batteries (FLIBs) consisting of energy storage scales and connections using LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NCM523) and graphite electrodes are presented. The scale‐dermis structure ensures a high energy density of 374.4 Wh L−1 as well as a high capacity retention of 93.2% after 200 charge/discharge cycles and 40 000 bending times. A variable stiffness property is revealed that can be controlled by battery configurations and deformation modes. Furthermore, the overlapping FLIBs can be housed directly into the architecture of several flexible devices, such as robots and grippers, allowing to create multifunctionalities that go far beyond energy storage and include load‐bearing and variable flexibility. This study broadens the versatility of FLIBs toward energy storage structure engineering of flexible devices.

Optimal number of charging station and pricing strategy for the electric vehicle with component commonality considering consumer range anxiety.

The battery driving mileage on a single charge and convenience of the charging stations affect Electric Vehicle's (EV) demand. This paper studies the optimal number of charging stations and EV's price strategy considering different component commonality configurations. Assume the EV manufacturer provides two types of EV and the two EVs have the same battery configuration (battery as a common part) or the same naked vehicle-EV without batteries (naked vehicle as a common part). And the common part could be configured with low or high quality. We discuss four scenarios with different common parts and different quality levels. For each scenario, we present the optimal number of the charging stations and EV prices. Then we compare the optimal solutions and manufacturer's profits in above four scenarios with numerical simulation and give some managerial insights. Our analysis reveals that (1) consumers' range anxiety towards battery will affect manufacturer's product configuration strategy, EVs' prices and demands. (2) large consumers' sensitivity towards charging station will corresponding to more charging station, high EV prices and demands. If consumers are very concerned about the charging convenience, high-end electric vehicles need to be launched first, then as customers' anxiety about charging decreases, the low quality EV could be developed and diffused. (3) the unit product cost reduction caused by the commonality may increase or decrease the EVs' prices, which depends on the relationship between the demand increment incurred by one more charging station and the cost coefficient of building the charging station. (4) The low quality naked vehicle as common component will increase both the number of the charging stations and the demand and the manufacturer is more likely to obtain high profits. (5) the cost saving coefficient of battery common parts has greater influence on the selection of commonality. When consumers' range anxiety towards battery is very high, manufacturers should choose low-quality naked vehicles or high-quality battery as common components.

High-Performance and Scalable Aqueous Na-Ion Batteries Comprising a Co-Prussian Blue Analogue Framework Positive Electrode and Sodium Vanadate Nanorod Negative Electrode for Solar Energy Storage

A unique configuration of aqueous Na-ion batteries is investigated for solar energy storage, where single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-coated stainless steel (SS304), Co-Prussian blue analogue (Co-PBA/Na2CoFe(CN)6), and sodium vanadate (NVO/NaV3O8) nanorods are employed as a current collector, positive active material, and negative active material, respectively. The SWCNT coverage on SS radically obstructs the metallic corrosion under anodic polarization and also enhances the electrolyte stability window by preventing direct contact between the metal substrate and electrolyte. Both the positive and negative materials are structurally analyzed by Rietveld refinement of powder X-ray diffraction data. The Co-PBA framework structure demonstrates one-dimensional channels with ∼5.3 and 5.1 Å widths along [100] and [011], respectively, whereas the layered NVO depicts an interlayer spacing of ∼4.2 Å for facile Na-ion transportations. Resultantly, the high diffusion coefficients of Na-ions in Co-PBA and NVO are achieved as 1.6 × 10–13 and 2.0 × 10–11 cm2 s–1, respectively. Both Co-PBA and NVO exhibit a diffusion-controlled Faradaic charge storage mechanism, which has been demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry. The Co-PBA provides 122 mAh g–1 specific capacity at 1C rate, which is the highest reported value in aqueous medium with low-cost current collectors. The electrochemical performance testing of NaV3O8 is first described by us, explicitly for the negative electrode, and it delivers 83 mAh g–1 specific capacity at 1C. The 1.5 V silica gel-based Co-PBA//NVO full cell is fabricated with mass balancing, which shows higher cell voltage by maximizing the water splitting window. The full cell delivers a specific capacity of 141 mAh g–1 (@ 1C), an energy density of 211 Wh kg–1 (@ 250 W kg–1), a power density of 2466 W kg–1 (@ 94 Wh kg–1), and good durability (80% capacity retention @ 5C) up to 500 cycles. A 3 V/5 mAh rated prototype device is assembled, and it delivers satisfactory solar energy storage performances under 1 week of continuous operation.

Small Molecules, Great Powers: Chemistry of Small Organo‐Chalcogenide Molecules in Rechargeable Li‐Sulfur Batteries

AbstractSmall organic chalcogenides molecules are receiving more attention in conjunction with the development of rechargeable lithium metal batteries (LMBs) especially lithium–sulfur (Li−S) batteries due to their abundant resources, reversible redox, high capacities, tunable structures, unique functional adjustability, and strong interaction with congener polysulfides. In this review, the working principles are generalized of small organo‐chalcogenide molecules in three important parts of batteries: electrolyte, interface, and cathode. First, in terms of regulating kinetics in electrolyte, small organo‐chalcogenide molecules can not only act as redox mediator to accelerate the redox kinetics of sulfur, but also change the inherently slow solid–solid process to form a faster redox pathway, which will bring light to the development of cryogenic Li−S batteries. Second, for interface chemistry, the introduction of small organo‐chalcogenide molecules can construct more elastic and stable anodic single‐SEI or cathodic/anodic dual‐SEI, thus effectively improving the cycling stability of batteries. Third, small organo‐chalcogenide molecules can be used as cathode materials in the form of liquid phase, solid phase, or precursor of polymers. Finally, advised optimizations are proposed about further mechanism deciphering, battery configuration design, machine learning, thereby providing direction to bridge the gap between rational modulation and practical battery implementation for small organo‐chalcogenide molecules.

All-organic aqueous batteries consisting of quinone-hydroquinone derivatives with proton/aluminum-ion co-insertion mechanism

All-organic aqueous batteries are deemed attractive energy storage systems for some application scenarios demanding recyclability or wearability. The efficient redox activity of quinone/hydroquinone-derived couples in biosystems inspires us to develop advanced batteries based on them. However, designing such an all-organic aqueous battery is challenging in selecting suitable electrolytes and active materials. A possible battery configuration consisting of the 9, 10-anthraquinone (AQ) anode, hydroquinone derivatives cathode, and weak acid metal-ion aqueous electrolyte is demonstrated herein. The molecular configuration of quinones and ionic type of electrolytes affect the redox behaviors of electrodes. Gratifyingly, a combination of AQ-tetrachlorohydroquinone-Al2(SO4)3 exhibits optimal performance. The underlying work mechanism of this full-battery configuration is disclosed by electrochemical and structural characterizations, finding that H+ and Al3+ are jointly involved in the redox reaction of quinone electrodes, and Al3+ plays a crucial role. This work inaugurates a new framework for designing an all-organic aqueous battery.

Thermal-economic and sensitivity analysis of different Rankine-based Carnot battery configurations for energy storage

The rapid growth of renewable energy, accompanied by intermittent and instability, has brought great challenges to energy storage technology. Rankine-based Carnot batteries are considered a promising solution to electricity storage in view of their high energy density at a low temperature. Determining the suitable Rankine-based Carnot battery configuration for its development and application requires accurate prediction and comprehensive comparison of the system performance under different conditions. In this paper, three Rankine-based Carnot Battery systems were constructed using a heat pump-organic Rankine cycle. Mathematical models of the aforementioned systems were built to assess and compare their performance from a thermodynamic standpoint. The results showed that the basic heat pump-organic Rankine cycle and reversible heat pump-organic Rankine cycle are better in energy and exergy aspects, where power-to-power-efficiency and exergy efficiency are higher by about 21.4% and 18.7% than that of reversible heat pump-organic Rankine cycle using a dual-function machine, respectively. Compared with basic heat pump-organic Rankine cycle and reversible heat pump-organic Rankine cycle, the levelized cost of storage of reversible heat pump-organic Rankine cycle using a dual-function machine is lower by about 12.3% and 5.4%, respectively. Taking the three criteria together, it seems that the reversible heat pump-organic Rankine cycle is better thermo-economically. The sensitivity analysis revealed that the heat source temperature has a greater impact on the reversible heat pump-organic Rankine cycle using a dual-function machine, and its absolute value of the sensitivity coefficient is 3.

Mitigating the interfacial concentration gradient by negatively charged quantum dots toward dendrite-free Zn anodes

Aqueous zinc (Zn) batteries have shown great promise in energy storage systems as an intrinsically safe battery configuration. However, Zn dendrite and side reactions may impede their practical application. Here, we propose to mitigate interfacial concentration gradient by introducing N, S-doped carbon quantum dots (NSQDs) as an additive to achieve uniform Zn deposition. The dangling oxygen-containing groups of the NSQDs would be reduced by a Zn foil, thus interacting with the oxidized Zn2+ to form Zn-O bonds on the Zn surface. The formed NSQD layer provides abundant nucleation sites for Zn ions pre-seeding. Meantime, the NSQD layer in negative charge decreases the ion concentration gradient and uniformizes the electric field distribution near the Zn-electrolyte interfaces, facilitating dendrite-free Zn deposition, which is well evidenced by finite simulation results. Together with a decreased interfacial concentration gradient, the Zn metal anode exhibits good rate performances (20 mA cm−2 for nearly 6000 cycles). In addition, the assembled pouch full cell exhibits excellent cycling stability, and 81% of capacity retention is achieved after 250 cycles. This work not only offers a simple approach to modulate the interfacial concentration gradient for uniform Zn deposition but also paves the way for a practical dendrite-free aqueous Zn battery.

Direct growth of cobalt-doped nickel vanadate shelf-like architectures on Ni foam electrodes for solid-state alkaline battery

Controlled-engineering on the phase and morphology of the metal vanadates is thought of as an impactful protocol for boosting electrochemical properties in terms of generating active sites and increasing intrinsic conductivity. A new perspective on a high-performance solid-state alkaline battery made of Co-doped Ni3V2O8 (NCV) directly grown on Ni foam (NF) and Bi2O3-NiO composite electrodes, prepared by a simple hydrothermal method, is presented here. Incorporating Co dopants into high-crystalline nickel vanadate with a novel shelf-like architecture enables more electroactive sites, strengthens the electronic conductivity, as well as enriches redox chemistry. The optimized NCV/NF electrode demonstrated consistent cycling behavior and a high discharge specific capacity of 255.82 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1. Moreover, the counter electrode of the Bi2O3-NiO composite exhibits a nest-like morphology (consisting of NiO nanowires embedded in Bi2O3 nanoflakes) and provides a very high surface area and an optimum discharge specific capacity of 204.76 mAh g−1 (@ 1 A g−1), with good cycling stability. In particular, the solid-state alkaline battery (SSAB) configuration of NCV/NF//Bi2O3-NiO achieves an ultrahigh energy density of 80.4 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 900.86 W kg−1 with nearly 90% of specific capacity retention even after 8000 cycles. The superior performance of the SSAB device indicates promise in the portable electronics and industrial sectors.

Zinc film anodes for air microbatteries: fabrication, approaches, and utilization optimization

Portable and autonomous microdevices often require on-board power sources such as thin film microbatteries. Air microbatteries are an attractive power source for such devices due to their high specific energy density. One particularly appropriate air chemistry is based on Zn, due to the multiple microfabrication approaches compatible with Zn anode formation. We demonstrate fabrication approaches to realize Zn film anodes in different thickness regimes using microelectromechanical systems based fabrication techniques—evaporation, electrodeposition, and laser micromachining; and evaluate their relative performance as power sources in a primary battery configuration. These fabrication techniques enable films in thickness regimes ranging from the micron scale to hundreds of microns. The fabricated films have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and were found to be dense and reasonably free from impurities. The electrochemical and discharge properties of the fabricated films were studied in an air battery configuration comprising a Zn anode-alkaline hydrogel electrolyte-metal catalyst stack, in which the anode had a surface area of 0.78 cm2. Evaporated Zn anodes (1–10 µms) yielded Zn utilizations of 96.5% and 82% at 10 and 1 mA discharge rates, respectively. The specific capacity of the evaporated Zn anodes was 791 mAh g−1 when discharged at 10 mA, close to the Zn theoretical specific capacity of 820 mAh g−1. Electrodeposited Zn anodes (10–100 µms) yielded utilizations of 90.2% and 75.6% at 10 and 1 mA discharge rates, respectively. Laser micromachined Zn anodes (250 µms) yielded Zn utilization of 90% when discharged at 10 mA. These fabrication techniques offer the potential to realize high energy density Zn anodes of different thickness ranges for thin film microbatteries, which can be tailored to microdevice-based applications of interest.

Rethinking lithium-ion battery management: Eliminating routine cell balancing enhances hazardous fault detection

Current battery management systems for lithium-ion battery packs incorporate circuitry and software to carry out routine voltage balancing of cells in order to optimise battery performance by preventing the state of charge of individual cells drifting apart over time. Drawing on evidence from previous published research, this paper reports experimental results testing the hypothesis that routine balancing can be successfully eliminated over a battery's lifetime. The test method requires that specified steps are taken to prepare the cells and that a novel charging protocol is employed thereafter to ensure the pack is fully charged while accommodating cell-to-cell variations in capacity, aging and dynamic response. Extensive cycle testing on a range of different battery configurations found no evidence of loss of balance and hence of reduction in lifetime battery performance compared to conventional battery management systems incorporating routine dissipative balancing. Importantly, the experiments also found that elimination of routine balancing greatly enhances the scope for early detection of low-level self-discharge caused by developing internal short circuits. Internal short circuits are implicated in occasional highly destructive spontaneous battery thermal runaway events which have hitherto proved very difficult to predict when using conventional cell voltage balancing systems. The described method of battery management thus offers significant potential, especially for applications where the risk of sudden battery fires cannot be tolerated. In addition, the absence of high voltage balancing wires may bring other benefits, including simplified battery assembly, safer maintenance and reduced risk of hazardous wiring faults.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the WJ IV Cognitive: What Does the Standard Battery Measure at School Age?

This study aimed to evaluate the tenability of the proposed scoring/interpretive structure for the Woodcock-Johnson IV Test of Cognitive Abilities (WJ IV COG) Standard Battery configuration of subtests using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) at school age. Results indicated that a three-factor hierarchical model, consistent with the CHC theory (Crystallized Ability, Fluid Reasoning, Short-Term Memory/Working Memory), provided the best fit to the WJ IV COG normative data. Whereas the preferred CHC interpretive structure was largely replicated, indices of interpretive relevance indicated that, among the Stratum II/III attributes that were located, only the omnibus general intelligence dimension should be interpreted with confidence. Nevertheless, several subtests contained adequate specificity to be interpreted in isolation apart from broad abilities. Implications for clinical interpretation are discussed.

Long‐life high‐capacity lithium battery with liquid organic cathode and sulfide solid electrolyte

AbstractElectrochemical batteries with organic electrode materials have attracted worldwide attention due to their high safety, low cost, renewability, low contamination, and easiness of recycling. However, the practical application of such system is limited by low density, low electronic/ionic conductivity, and the dissolution of organic electrode materials in conventional liquid electrolytes. Herein, a novel battery configuration is proposed to replace liquid electrolyte/solid organic cathode with solid electrolyte/liquid organic cathode to ultimately solve the shuttle effect and dissolution problem of organic cathodes. More importantly, this configuration combines room‐temperature high‐safety liquid lithium metal anode Li‐BP‐DME that can essentially inhibit lithium dendrite nucleation/growth and sulfide SE with ultrahigh room‐temperature ionic conductivity for facilitated ion‐conduction.

Recent Advances in Wearable Aqueous Metal‐Air Batteries: From Configuration Design to Materials Fabrication

AbstractWith the increasing popularity of personal wearable electronic devices used for healthcare, entertainment, and sports applications, the corresponding energy supply and space adaptability of devices are required to meet higher standards. Owing to large energy densities and intrinsic safety, wearable aqueous metal‐air batteries have shown great potential to be energy storage/conversion integrated systems for wearable electronic devices characterized by long‐term low‐power operation. In contrast to non‐aqueous electrolytes, aqueous‐based electrolytes exhibit greater ionic conductivity, higher operational safety, lower cost, and superior environmental benignity, making them more suitable for a wearable power source. Herein, the most recent advances in wearable aqueous metal‐air battery systems are comprehensively summarized from the viewpoint of configuration design, materials fabrication, and property optimization. Specifically, the rational design of wearable battery configurations, including sandwich‐type, cable/fiber‐type, coplanar‐type, and integrated coplanar‐type configurations, are first discussed, followed by a detailed discussion of constituent components, including flexible air cathode, flexible anode, and quasi‐solid‐state gel electrolyte in wearable metal‐air batteries. Finally, the existing technical hurdles and recommended future research perspectives of wearable aqueous metal‐air battery systems are proposed to stimulate the broader interest of interdisciplinary researchers and try to shed some light on future advancement.

Environmental and economic analyses of fuel cell and battery-based hybrid systems utilized as auxiliary power units on a chemical tanker vessel

This study aims to investigate the environmental and economic impacts of implementing fuel cell and battery-based hybrid configurations. Phosphoric acid and molten carbonate fuel cell systems in the place of diesel generators of a large tanker to supply the vessel's total electricity demand. Environmental and economic analyses of the utilization of the specified fuel cell systems with LiNiCoALO2 and LiNiMnCoO2 chemical types of battery cells on a large marine vessel are provided in this paper. In addition, the assessment of the most suitable battery cell and charge-discharge hours for fuel cell systems is carried out with a grid-search algorithm. Six different fuel cell and battery configurations are investigated to obtain the optimum system layout. The results show that the CO2 emissions could be reduced by up to 49.75% and the lowest electricity production cost is found as 0.181 $/kWh for the current fuel prices with the utilization of molten carbonate fuel cells and LiNiMnCoO2 battery cells.

Modeling and analysis of the voyage cycle for ferryboat electrification

Voyage cycle modeling provides an estimation of the battery energy requirements in preparation for the electrification of passenger ships. In this study, the objectives are to model the voyage cycle of a public transportation ferry and to determine the appropriate battery storage capacity in preparation for ferry electrification. Pasig River Ferry Service (PRFS), located in Metro Manila, Philippines, was used to model a voyage cycle for ferryboat electrification. Speed and route characteristic data were gathered during the operations of the ferry through a surveyor equipped with a GPS logger. The voyage characteristics gathered, ferry specifications, and diesel engine look-up table were used as inputs to develop a Simulink model that provides the estimated fuel consumption and the equivalent power consumption of the ferry in the case of electrification. The fuel consumption estimate was validated by comparing it to the fuel consumed during actual operation. Based on initial results, the fuel consumption estimates have percentage errors that vary from 2.25 to 12.94 % compared to the actual recorded fuel consumption during operations. The instantaneous power consumption from the voyage cycle Simulink model was used as an input to battery discharge simulations to evaluate the target battery design of the equivalent electric ferry system. Using the methodology of this study, the battery configuration and capacity were determined and evaluated for a single roundtrip voyage of the passenger boat. Highlights Voyage Cycle modeling can provide an overview of the performance of a ferry Fuel and energy consumption can be estimated from the voyage cycle Battery discharge simulation is a method used to verify the battery system design Voyage Cycle Modeling is an initial step for existing boat operators in determining the energy requirements prior to electrification

Technoeconomic Analysis of a Hybrid Energy System for an Academic Building

This work is mainly based on the optimal design of a standalone Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) consisting of PV/diesel/battery systems, implemented in an academic building. Different hybrid system configurations such as PV-diesel generator-battery, diesel generator-battery, and PV-diesel generator are compared based on Net Present Cost (NPC) and Cost Of Energy (COE) to find out the best economically viable and environmentally friendly solution. Li-ion and lead-acid batteries were taken into consideration, and the optimization was done in HOMER PRO software. The PV-DG-Li-ion battery configuration emits approximately 2825387kg/year CO2 whereas the conventional DG system emits 4565074kg/year. It is concluded that the PV-DG-Li-ion battery configuration provides the cleanest and most environment-friendly and techno-economically feasible solution.

A positive/negative average real variability index and techno-economic analysis of a hybrid energy storage system

The energy storage systems are considered the prime candidates to increase the stability and penetration of renewable energy sources. However, their cost and reliability may prove to be significant obstacles for their development. A solution that is gaining momentum and can augment performance and reduce costs is hybrid energy storage systems (H-ESS). In the current study, two novel indexes are introduced aiming to capture the connection between the net demand time series volatility and a H-ESS with fast response characteristics. A new methodological framework to derive the nominal values of a H-ESS coupled to a PV/Wind system is presented. The proposed H-ESS comprises a lithium-ion battery and superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES). The flywheel energy storage (FES) is also considered instead of the SMES to compare the performance and economic viability with the fast reserve incentive of a mature and developing technology. The techno-economic viability of the system with/without H-ESS is calculated by the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), revealing that with a fast reserve incentive, the integration of SMES at an LCOE of 36.734 €/MWh is the more favorable configuration compared to FES at 36.756 €/MWh and only battery at 40.367 €/MWh. A sensitivity analysis for the SMES and FES is conducted, concluding that we can achieve 0.84 % and 0.87 % reduction in the LCOE of SMES and FES, respectively, if the costs are halved. Furthermore, the two novel indexes verify the intuition that a net demand time series with high volatility favors a H-ESS with fast response characteristics, which can be quantified to an LCOE of 62.791 €/MWh and 64.712 €/MWh without fast reserve for SMES/battery and only battery configurations, respectively. This work can be utilized by market participants and/or potential investors to optimally determine their portfolios.

Growing cuprite nanoparticles on copper current collector toward uniform Li deposition for anode-free lithium batteries

One Li-ion battery configuration to achieve high energy density is the anode-free Li metal battery (AFLMB) constructed by eliminating negative active materials. However, the lithium metal deposition and stripping process on the negative electrode current collector is accompanied by the rapid loss of active lithium, limiting the practical application. Here, novel cuprite nanoparticles modified copper current collector (HCu) was synthesized via a facile one-step atmospheric heat treatment method. The decomposition of cuprite nanoparticles constructs stable electronic pathways and stable Li2O-rich SEI during lithium deposition, improving the uniformity and reversibility of lithium deposition. When served as the anode current collector for AFLMB, the prepared HCu can maintain an average CE of 99.24% within 100 cycles (capacity retention rate of 41%) at 0.5 C charge/discharge under a capacity of 3 mAh cm−2. Morphology characterization during lithium deposition combined with physics simulation demonstrated that HCu could regulate deposited lithium morphology to achieve uniform lithium deposition. This proposed strategy displays significant performance benefits, offering a novel pathway to modify the morphology and electron/ion transfer of anode current collector for AFLMB.

Are You Still Using 6-Volt Batteries for Your Insect Traps?

The most prevalent insect sampling and surveillance problem is powering insect traps in the field. Most modern light traps use 6-V power supplies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suction trap. Buck converter modules efficiently reduce 12-V direct current power to 6-V, which permits the use of higher voltage batteries with lower voltage traps, resulting in longer operational duration and reduced labor requirements associated with replacing and recharging batteries in the field. We evaluated several battery configurations of 6- and 12-V lead-acid batteries in various sizes (10-20 ampere-hours) and addressed, in the circuit design, common problems that occur when using the buck converter (such as crossing polarity and excessive battery depletion). The efficacy of each configuration was assessed by measuring the voltage and suction while powering a 6-V CDC light trap. The buck converter permitted the use of cheaper and more commonly available 12-V batteries to run the CDC light traps and resulted in longer effective operation time as measured by air speed.