An Australian research team has developed a new type of battery that can last up to 5 days. The technology still needs to be improved
Creating batteries capable of lasting longer is certainly one of the main challenges of the new decade. Companies and research teams are increasingly striving to create sustainable, high-performance and cost-effective solutions. In the last days, an Australian research team has created an unparalleled battery.
The researchers have announced the creation of a power supply capable of running a smartphone for five days; and an electric car for a thousand kilometers. The secret is in the composition: the battery is not lithium-ion, but lithium-sulfur, an element of the latest generation able to significantly increase the performance of machines and devices of all types and sizes. This is an invention that could open new scenarios both in the consumer electronics sector and in the automotive one. Unfortunately, there are still some difficulties that could slow down its production.
Battery that lasts 5 days: advantages and difficulties
The team of Australian researchers from Monash University in Melbourne has announced to the scientific community the birth of a new lithium-sulfur battery. It is a component capable of storing 5 times the energy usually stored by lithium-ion battery.
Mahdokht Shaibani, researcher leading the research, admits that the technology has to overcome some obstacles. For example, although these batteries have more range, they are bound to deteriorate sooner. In fact, they can't handle the energy stress that builds up during charging, so after a few years, they need to be replaced with new components.
In particular, two key elements deteriorate during charging: carbon, which is responsible for passing electrons to sulfur, and the bond that joins these two materials. When the bond is subjected to stress, it breaks down and performance drops dramatically.
This technology is already used in some cars and air vehicles. Companies have long been trying to make lithium-sulfur batteries for consumer products, but all attempts have so far failed.
The future of lithium-sulfur batteries
New research related to the evolution of power supplies has been published in the journal Science Advances. In the article, a revamped design designed to make the battery survive longer without a drop in performance is presented. The research team has received funding from the Australian government (and beyond) to continue the work. Thanks to continued investment, the technology is making great strides and could be commercialized very soon. New tests are expected later this year.
Among the advantages of this technology is that it is also greener and more sustainable than lithium-ion batteries. Also, making this battery is cheaper and faster. All these elements could benefit not only the production of low-cost and high-performance devices, but also give the right push for the evolution and diffusion of electric vehicles.