A group of researchers from Stanford University has managed to create a stable lithium anode, which according to the report’s authors has the potential to revolution the world’s relationship with and dependence on battery power.
In a world that’s increasingly dependent on large servings of electrical power that last as long as possible, the question build bigger, better and safer batteries is relentless to say the least. Current battery technology is to a large extent pretty dated and hasn’t changed conceptually in some time – something dozens of the world’s biggest technology companies have a vested interest in changing.
However, it’s taken a group of researchers from Stanford University to come up with what’s being called nothing less than the battery design ‘Holy Grail’. The development of a stable lithium anode has the very real potential to revolutionize the way the world looks at battery power for future generation – the achievement has sent shockwaves around the world’s scientific community.
“Of all the materials that one might use in an anode, lithium has the greatest potential. Some call it the Holy Grail,” wrote Yi Cui, professor of Material Science and Engineering and the lead author of the study.
“It is very lightweight and it has the highest energy density. You get more power per volume and weight, leading to lighter, smaller batteries with more power.”
“Lithium has major challenges that have made its use in anodes difficult,” added Guangyuan Zheng, who also worked on the project.
“Many engineers had given up the search, but we found a way to protect the lithium from the problems that have plagued it for so long.”
Also on the team was former U.S. Secretary of Energy and Nobel Laureate Steven Chu, who spoke of a future where electronic vehicles powered by the new-generation batteries cold become universally affordable for the first time.
“In practical terms, if we can improve the capacity of batteries to, say, four times today’s, that would be exciting,” he said.
“You might be able to have cell phone with double or triple the battery life or an electric car with a range of 300 miles that cost only $25,000—competitive with an internal combustion engine getting 40 mpg.”
Having achieved what was in many circles deemed impossible, the scientists have spoken of the significance of the breakthrough. And while admitting that without a coulombic efficiency of 99.9 percent the batteries cannot be considered ready for commercial application, the improvements have been tremendous and the target is well within reach.
“The difference between 99 percent and 96 percent, in battery terms, is huge. So, while we’re not quite to that 99.9 percent threshold, where we need to be, we’re close and this is a significant improvement over any previous design,” added Cui.
“With some additional engineering and new electrolytes, we believe we can realize a practical and stable lithium metal anode that could power the next generation of rechargeable batteries.”