We already knew Samsung was working on new denser batteries aside from slimmer camera modules. Looks like we’ll be able to experience longer battery life now that Samsung has finished developing new materials that are said to double the capacity of lithium-ion batteries we use today. As we mentioned last May, Samsung devices usually have batteries with 700Wh/l (Watt-hours per liter).
Back then, Samsung was working on to improve to 750Wh/l by 2016 and 780Wh/l by 2018. That sounded ambitious but it should be the direction of batteries. We noted that denser batteries would mean higher capacities for lithium-ion batteries. This time though, Samsung has worked on a new technology that uses silicon cathode material that have been coded with high-crystalline graphene. The result is a battery that can give off double capacity compared to a lithium-ion battery.
The Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) shared that the research was published in Nature Communication, an international science journal, last Thursday, June 25, 2015. The research mainly resulted to a possible enhancement of battery performance of electric vehicles and in the smaller scale, mobile devices like phones and tablet.
SAIT’s professional researcher Son In-hyuk shared the following statement:
“The research has dramatically improved the capacity of lithium-ion batteries by applying a new synthesis method of high-crystalline graphene to a high-capacity silicon cathode. We will continue to improve the secondary cell technology to meet the expanding demand from mobile device and electric vehicle markets.”
Samsung is still in the process of applying patents for the new battery technology in China, Europe, US, and its native South Korea. Instead of graphite, silicon can be used as it is believed to garner more power up to 10 times. At first, there was battery life degradation according to the researchers so they tured to graphene instead which is said to be highly conductive and stronger even if it’s a new material. Graphene can handle up to four times the capacity compared to graphite. This means it can also double energy density of lithium-ion batteries.
There has always been a demand for longer battery life especially from lithium-ion batteries but development has been gradual throughout the decades. With this latest research from Samsung, we’re expecting to see battery technology improvement. Finally, we’re seeing some significant developments and we hope to see this high-capacity battery on more mobile devices in the future not only from Samsung but also from other manufacturers.
VIA: Korea Times, Nature
