Scientists just made a massive breakthrough on an alternative to lithium-ion batteries: ‘These batteries are essential

Story by Laurelle Stelle • Sunday

Scientists just made a massive breakthrough on an alternative to lithium-ion batteries: ‘These batteries are essential’ (msn.com)

excerpt

Researchers have recently discovered a way to make an efficient battery out of zinc — an inexpensive, commonly found metal — instead of the rare metals used in lithium batteries.

Most rechargeable batteries today are lithium-ion batteries, which include other metals like cobalt and nickel, Tech Xplore reports. As electric vehicles (EVs) and large-scale energy storage get more common, we’ll need more and more of those metals — but because they’re uncommon, the costs are often massive.

Not only is the zinc battery efficient, but it’s also safer than a lithium-ion battery, according to Tech Xplore. The new electrolyte isn’t flammable, while the ones used in lithium-ion batteries often are combustible. Both zinc and the components of the electrolyte are also cheaper and more common than the materials used in lithium-ion batteries.

“The breakthrough represents a significant advancement toward making zinc metal batteries more accessible to consumers,” Ji told OSU News and Research Communications. “These batteries are essential for the installation of additional solar and wind farms. In addition, they offer a secure and efficient solution for home energy storage, as well as energy storage modules for communities that are vulnerable to natural disasters.”

Thanks to the work of Ji and his team, Tech Xplore suggests rechargeable zinc batteries are likely to hit the market in the near future.

Well, IF Citronen is a goer it may be the right mine at the right time. Given that May is fast closing in it will be interesting to see what LNS comes up with, it is feeling like a make-or-break outcome to me.

cheers.