High-voltage ion-mediated flow/flow-assist manganese dioxide-zinc battery

A method of operating a battery, the method comprising:

• circulating a catholyte solution within a cathode compartment of a battery, wherein the battery comprises a cathode current collector within the cathode compartment having manganese dioxide plated thereon, wherein the catholyte solution comprises manganese ions;
• circulating an anolyte solution within an anode compartment of the battery, wherein the battery comprises an anode current collector within the anode compartment having zinc plated thereon, wherein the anolyte solution comprises zinc ions, and wherein the catholyte solution and the anolyte solution have different compositions, and wherein the pH of the catholyte solution is less than the pH of the anolyte solution;
• preventing direct mixing between the anolyte and the catholyte during the circulating by using a separator disposed between the cathode compartment and the anode compartment;
• and
• generating an electrical current from the battery while circulating the catholyte solution and circulating the anolyte solution.