We’ve been following development of machine learning about batteries for a while. The general idea is big computers think faster than humans can, and predict success of new chemistries quicker. This also does away with prototype laboratory trials saving more time and money. Chemistry World reports scientists at University of North Carolina believe fluoride-ion could see lithium batteries lose their pole position.
Could Fluoride-Ion Batteries Really See Lithium Off?
Fluoride-ion batteries shuttle active fluoride ions between their electrodes during recharging and discharging. They have hitherto proved impractical because they require operation at high temperature, according to Wikipedia.
Were it not for this limitation, they would have wide consumer applications, and could even replace lithium ones. They also would deliver the following additional advantages:
1… Fluoride-ion batteries weigh less, and are smaller and more stable than lithium-ion ones.
2… Fluoride mineral is freely available, and costs less than the lithium and cobalt in lithium-ion batteries.
3… Moreover, it seems likely fluoride-ion batteries have potential for greater energy storage too.
However, the set-back has been identifying a suitable companion material to conduct fluoride-ions, and get the system to work. But now it seems the University of North Carolina scientists and their computers have cracked the code.
Searching Through 10,000 Fluoride-Containing Crystals
The University of North Carolina team first assembled a database of 140,000 known materials containing fluoride. Next, they narrowed this down to 10,000 likely fluoride-containing crystals, and randomly selected 300 of these candidates for research.
Then they trained their large computer to analyze each of their abilities to transport fluoride. This quickly enabled them to identify the most likely candidates, and rank them according the likelihood of their success.
“Our calculations show that these materials are stable and can be synthesized,” explains team leader Jack Sandberg. Students in his lab are now working to experimentally synthesize them and test their properties. We understand a fluoride-containing zinc-titanium compound, ZnTiF6 is high up on their list. Watch this space for an update.
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