Ever wished your smartphone battery lasted longer, charged faster, or was safer?
Well, new research has brought us one step closer to turning that wish into reality.
A team of scientists led by Prof. Dr. Francesco Ciucci from the University of Bayreuth, in collaboration with partners from China, has made a groundbreaking discovery in the world of batteries.
Researchers have found a way to create a new type of lithium battery that is not only safer but also durable and simple to make.
The science behind it
First, let’s get into a bit of the science but don’t worry, we’ll keep it simple.
Batteries typically have three main parts: two different materials (known as electrodes) and an ‘electrolyte,’ a substance in between that helps the electric charge move.
Traditional lithium batteries use a liquid electrolyte, which can be dangerous if it leaks or catches fire.
In this new design, the team used what’s called a “quasi-solid-state” electrolyte—basically, a safer, jelly-like substance instead of a risky liquid.
The breakthrough
What makes this development special? The researchers successfully combined two chemicals, lithium nitrate and 1, 3‐dioxolane (DOL), that usually don’t get along well.
By adding a third element, a special additive called triethylene glycol dinitrate, they managed to make these chemicals work together beautifully.
This additive also encouraged the formation of a special layer that makes the battery more efficient and minimizes unwanted chemical reactions that can decrease performance.
The team showed that their new design works across various types of lithium batteries. One example is the pouch Li-S cell, a kind of lithium battery, which performed better than previous versions.
They were able to charge and discharge a smaller, lab-scale battery more than 2,000 times without losing effectiveness.
Even more impressive, they made a 1.7 Ah Li-S pouch cell that has a high energy storage capacity. To put that into perspective, a higher energy storage capacity means the battery can store more energy for its size, which could mean longer-lasting batteries for your gadgets.
What does this mean for us?
The big takeaway here is that this innovation makes it easier and cheaper to produce batteries that are not only more efficient but also safer.
This could have a huge impact on everything from electric cars to renewable energy storage systems, and even our everyday gadgets like smartphones and laptops.
Prof. Ciucci said, “This study shows the importance of designing molecules in a specific way to make better and safer batteries.” It seems like we’re on the brink of a battery revolution, thanks to these researchers’ dedication to making energy storage safer, more efficient, and more accessible for everyone.
So, the next time your phone battery dies in the middle of a crucial moment, just remember: a solution is on the horizon, and it might be here sooner than you think!
The study was published in the journal Energy & Environmental Science.
Follow us on Twitter for more articles about this topic.
Source: Bayreuth University.
