Past exam of the MPhil in micro- and nanotechnology enterprise course of the University of Cambridge / 2020 / Paper 1 / Section A(iii) / 6

The discharge reaction is $2\mathrm{Li}+{\mathrm{I}}_2\to 2\mathrm{LiI}$. It transfers two electrons and has $\Delta G^{\circ }=-539.4\mathrm{kJ}\mathrm{mo}{\mathrm{l}}^{-1}$ per reaction as written. The reversible open-circuit voltage isThe supplied free energy is already at approximately the requested temperature, so an additional temperature factor is unnecessary. Actual activities or discharge polarization could alter the terminal voltage.

The stored energy is $0.75(7)=5.25\mathrm{Wh}$, and the load draws $P=IV=(20\times 10^{-6})(2.5)=50\mu \mathrm{W}$. HenceThis is an ideal energy-budget estimate using 365.25 days per year. It assumes the stated energy is usable at this load, constant current and voltage, and negligible self-discharge, ageing and reserve capacity. No biological operating model is required.