(Image credit: Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty Images)ShareShare by:
- Duplicate link
- X
Share this article 5Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletter
A revolutionary battery innovation could drastically improve the security of power cells employed in electric vehicles (EVs) and may bolster the robustness of electrical infrastructures, according to researchers.
The scientists attained this milestone during the progression of solid-state sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries, which might potentially augment and supplant lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries present in numerous commonplace technologies today.
You may like
-
Toyota to launch world’s first EV with a solid-state battery by 2027 — they’re expected to last longer and charge faster
-
New hydrogen battery can operate four times colder than before — meaning denser and longer-lasting EV batteries
-
Self-healing ‘concrete batteries’ now 10 times better — they could one day power cities, scientists say
Solid-state sodium batteries could be safer, cheaper, more powerful option – YouTube
Watch On
Li-ion batteries, the foremost battery innovation prevalent in items spanning from handheld phones to electrical automobiles, are susceptible to a process referred to as “thermal runaway.” This phenomenon manifests once a battery encounters a short or structural impairment, instigating a self-perpetuating sequence that substantially escalates heat levels internally.
Moreover, conventional Li-ion batteries generally incorporate organic liquid electrolytes, crucial for energy density, as well as efficient charge and discharge cycles. These fluid electrolytes exhibit heightened flammability and might culminate in fires or explosions upon structural compromise.
Na-ion batteries may present a securer substitute owing to their utilization of more resilient cathode substances, and due to the diminished electrochemical potential exhibited by sodium ions compared to lithium ions, which renders them less vulnerable to thermal runaway.
The constraint lies in the comparatively diminutive energy density of Na-ion batteries relative to Li-ion batteries, indicating reduced duration between recharges. Additionally, Na-ion batteries might presently degrade more rapidly, resulting in diminished overall longevity. These coupled aspects have historically impeded the widespread adoption of Na-ion batteries.
However, as elaborated in the recent research, scientists have synthesized a solid constituent encompassing sulfur and chlorine which facilitates conductivity akin to liquid electrolytes while concurrently affording notably enhanced stability. The newly engineered battery demonstrated a Coulombic efficiency of 99.26% following 600 charge cycles at 0.1C (denoting a 10-hour discharge rate), approaching the 99% threshold or greater typically attained by lithium batteries.
Challenging lithium dominance
“We transitioned from employing a liquid electrolyte in the battery to utilizing a solid-state electrolyte — which boasts non-flammability,” stated Yang Zhao, a professor within the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Western University, during a video presentation uploaded to YouTube.
Furthermore, the research group leveraged the Canadian Light Source, Canada’s nationwide synchrotron resource, to scrutinize the mobility of ions within their solid electrolyte, thereby substantiating their outcomes.
You may like
-
Toyota to launch world’s first EV with a solid-state battery by 2027 — they’re expected to last longer and charge faster
-
Self-healing ‘concrete batteries’ now 10 times better — they could one day power cities, scientists say
-
Graphene supercapacitor breakthrough could boost energy storage in future EVs and other household devices
“These X-ray instruments enable observation of the localized chemical composition, ion pathways, and bonding arrangements in a way that surpasses the capabilities of standard laboratory equipment,” Zhao added in a subsequent declaration. “They’re indispensable for the innovation of solid-state battery materials.”
The emerging battery innovation holds the potential to promote extensive adoption of Na-ion batteries, notably for vital tasks presently sustained via more unstable Li-ion batteries, according to the researchers. Subsequently, they must validate that their methodology attains a satisfactory equilibrium between safety and energy capacity, coupled with a manufacturing process adaptable for scaling to accommodate the substantial global demand for batteries.
Notwithstanding their prevalence as approximately 70% of the global rechargeable battery pool, Li-ion batteries predominantly find application within a select array of essential functions.
For example, recent statistics from the International Energy Agency (IEA) determined that the energy industry accounts for over 90% of the demand for Li-ion.
Presently, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at a national tier face amplified investigation, notably subsequent to recurring conflagrations at California BESS installations, and necessitate the establishment of fire management frameworks. Na-ion could mitigate such worries and accelerate the integration of BESS, which accumulate the intermittent supply of renewable energy for subsequent distribution as required.
RELATED STORIES
—Breakthrough flexible battery moves like toothpaste and could power pacemakers and hearing aids
—New hydrogen battery can operate four times colder than before — meaning denser and longer-lasting EV batteries
—Chinese scientists have found a way to make batteries more efficient — by using water
Owing to the abundance of sodium relative to lithium, the large-scale manufacture of Na-ion batteries could considerably lessen the aggregate cost of the battery supply chain.
Na-ion batteries also present the supplemental perk of enhanced recyclability compared to Li-ion batteries, as explored in a 2023 report, attributable to their reduced composition of hazardous components and absence of heavy metals.
Various prominent automotive manufacturers are presently investing in Na-ion battery development. In April, the world’s foremost battery producer, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), communicated the inception of mass production for Na-ion batteries utilizing their novel “Naxtra” battery design. The output is anticipated to be integrated into vehicles commencing in 2026. Chinese automotive powerhouse BYD is similarly advancing Na-ion batteries for grid-scale retention implementations.
Rory Bathgate
Rory Bathgate serves as a freelance contributor for Live Science and holds the position of Features and Multimedia Editor at ITPro, overseeing exhaustive content and case studies. Beyond his role at ITPro, Rory maintains a deep interest in the interplay between the tech sector and global efforts to combat climate change. His focus encompasses the energy transition, notably sustainable energy generation and grid storage, as well as advancements in electric vehicles and the swift expansion of the electrification market. In his leisure time, Rory indulges in photography, video editing, and science fiction. He joined ITPro in 2022 as a graduate, having completed an MA (Hons) in Eighteenth-Century Studies at King’s College London. Rory can be reached at [email protected].
Show More Comments
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
LogoutRead more
Toyota to launch world’s first EV with a solid-state battery by 2027 — they’re expected to last longer and charge faster
Self-healing ‘concrete batteries’ now 10 times better — they could one day power cities, scientists say
Graphene supercapacitor breakthrough could boost energy storage in future EVs and other household devices
New EV motor invention could cut 1,000 pounds from future vehicles, making them much lighter while boosting their range
New electrochemical method splits water with electricity to produce hydrogen fuel — and cuts energy costs in the process
China’s new ‘solar-power window coating’ can capture energy and power household devices
Latest in Electric Vehicles