Lithium-oxygen batteries aka lithium-air are proving a key contributor to greater energy storage. Researchers favor them for higher capacity, although their low efficiency and poor cycle lifetimes are proven obstacles. PV Magazine published a report on January 11, 2021 advising more density from a new lithium-air battery technology.
Greater Density for Storage, Vehicles and Drones
Japan’s National Institute for Materials Science developed a new rechargeable lithium-oxygen battery in partnership with Softbank. PV Magazine describes it as a 10-cell stacked device, with lithium negative electrode and positive porous carbon oxygen electrode.
The 10-cell stacked version measures 4 centimeters by 5, while the single layer one is approximately half that size. Apparently the stacked cell version requires oxygen to travel further, because it must traverse vertically through the gas diffusion layer.
There’s definitely more density with this new lithium-air battery technology though. In fact, this version delivers close to 500 watt hours per kilogram. This is double conventional lithium-ion batteries, and a claimed new world record. Moreover, the configuration also excels in terms of number of cycles.
Where Will More Density With a New Lithium-Air Battery Lead?
Much lithium-air research has focused on individual components over the past decade. However, this particular work has gone further by evaluating overall performance under realistic, practical conditions. The brief involved comparing performance of various lithium technologies to chart the way forward.
The team at National Institute for Materials Science look forward to a great future for rechargeable lithium-air batteries. But this is provided they can achieve sufficient storage density for next gen land and air vehicles. For if they can do this in real time, then they could be five times the capacity of conventional lithium-ion ones.
Softbank’s investment muscle should be able to bankroll further progress, and move the product to market sooner. The green energy initiative needs battery enhancements like this as quickly as possible. There has been a counter movement back towards fossil fuel which is gaining momentum. We publish this report in the interest of our more sustainable earth.
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