The search for the next great battery technology is still on. Actually, scientists have not stopped with research and development. We’ve seen numerous efforts already like that lithium-sulfur battery by Sony, lithium-air discovered by Cambridge researchers, and silicon battery. There’s also that li-ion battery that can be recharged by sunlight. Even before all these, we heard about the solid-state electrolytes the could improve battery technology.
Previous scientists have already established the fact that lithium-air could be used but with some drawbacks. The Argonne National Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy discovered possible solutions to the the formation of lithium peroxide (Li2O2) on previous li-air batteries. The solution is to make crystallized lithium superoxide (LiO2) more stable. According to the scientists, this lithium superoxide can be separated into lithium and oxygen more easily–which can result to a better cycle and high efficiency in life.
Research isn’t over yet but the scientists believe they’re getting there. Argonne battery scientist Larry Curtiss said, “This discovery really opens a pathway for the potential development of a new kind of battery.”
A “closed system” results from lithium-air battery creation as allowed by a lithium superoxide-based battery. The closed system is better than open ones because they no longer need regular intake of oxygen. Let’s see if this discovery will finally start a new battery technology.
VIA: Argonne
