Lithium-ion batteries are a compromise, because they are the best available in class. Electric vehicle makers surround them with safety features, and turn their faces away from future raw material shortages. Meanwhile researchers have begun to ask could zinc-based batteries replace them someday. Especially if we could recharge them directly with sunlight.
Switching from Lithium to Zinc Would be Relatively Simple
Zinc and lithium batteries use similar technology to shuttle ions between their electrodes. Their makers use similar manufacturing methods to produce them. But zinc-based batteries could also replace lithium ion because they have comparable density, with which other alternatives cannot currently compete.
However, the clincher could be safety. You see lithium-ion batteries use an unstable electrolyte capable of catching fire accidentally. Whereas zinc batteries have water electrolyte that if anything extinguishes fire,
If Zinc-Based Batteries Could Replace Lithium Why Not Now?
Well first of all lithium technology got to market first, and commands a sizeable share. And secondly investors poured money into it and are still recovering their returns. However, the clincher is probably consumer-brand loyalty. Better the ‘devil you know’ and so on.
But Academic Research Could Change All That in Due Course
Battery evolution relies on two things. These factors are having researchers willing to shift the barriers of understanding outward, and benefactors willing to bank roll them. Much research is ongoing is this regard. For example, researchers from Nanyang Technological Innovation in Singapore developed biodegradable, printed paper batteries based on zinc technology.
However, perhaps the most interesting research emerged in September, 2021. That was when researchers from the University College of London published a paper on new zinc-based batteries charged directly by sunlight. You can bet your last dollar someone, somewhere is planning to take this to market after researching it thoroughly.
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