Posted on 05/30/2024 6:12:18 AM PDT by Red Badger
Scientists in China have developed an innovative new water-based battery that could be a game-changer for electric vehicles and the fight against atmospheric pollution, according to Interesting Engineering.
So, what makes this breakthrough exciting? These aqueous batteries are not only much safer than traditional lithium-ion batteries — they can store almost double the energy.
Today's lithium batteries have enabled the rise of EVs, but they have some serious limitations. Their flammable organic electrolytes make them a fire risk, and their energy density puts a cap on EV driving range.
The new water-based design replaces those combustible components with a safer, more stable water-based electrolyte. The result is a battery that can pack way more energy into the same space.
Researchers have been working hard on this water battery concept for years, and their efforts are paying off. In the lab, they've already achieved an impressive energy density of 1,200 watt-hours per liter, according to findings published in the journal Nature Energy. That's on par with cutting-edge solid-state batteries and double that of top lithium-ion cells.
But the advantages don't stop there. These aqueous batteries are already "demonstrating significant stability," according to SCMP. Not only are they energy-dense and inflammable, but they're also highly durable.
In testing, the Chinese team, led by Prof. LI Xianfeng from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, got their batteries to last for 1,000 charge cycles while maintaining high performance. That kind of lifespan is crucial for powering vehicles long term.
What's really exciting is how these better batteries could benefit people and the planet. Doubling the driving range of EVs would be a huge win for consumers. Cheaper, safer, and longer-lasting batteries would speed up the transition to clean electric transport, reducing the air pollution that harms human health.
Plus, by making EVs more practical for more people, this technology could help put a major dent in the carbon dioxide pollution overheating our Earth.
There's still more work to be done, but the researchers believe their aqueous batteries could be cost-competitive with conventional lithium-ion cells once scaled up. That means these water-based wonders could power our cars and clean up our air sooner than we think.
In the race to keep our planet cool, that's a bright light on the horizon.
“Everything is impossible until someone does it.” - Robert Heinlein
Replacing the anode every 1000km (620 miles) would be a pain............
There may not be A truly effective battery anytime soon but there will be stories of revolutionary battery breakthrough technology every few weeks. Breakthrough battery stories are a regular hopium theme for at least a decade.
Water-based so that it can self-extinguish when it bursts Into flame? J/k
The greenies will have a field day declaring we are running out of water because of this battery!... We are in ‘Peak’ Water!....................
Was it you that posted about an emerging tech where it will take just 1 minute to recharge phone batteries and 10 minutes for car battery? Can’t remeber where I saw that yesterday. THAT would be cool if possible. But I’d still charge and store my mandated electric car outside IF we are all forced to go that route.
‘Twas me.................
Yes, but does going from 80% to 30% count as half of a cycle? Also keep in mind that a Tesla battery is actually a battery of batteries, and is designed to rotate which cells it charges and “tops off” to maximize battery life. There is no mention of the Chinese water battery being made of multiple independent cells.
In a NORMAL (single-cell) lithium battery, constantly topping off makes the battery deplete FASTER than allowing it to drain more completely before refilling it.
“When not if it ignites?” Are you seriously alleging that all lithium batteries eventually ignite? You know Tesla batteries ignite at only 10% of the rate that gasoline engines ignite, and it’s only because the tech is new and the fire is so difficult to extinguish that every last damned Tesla fire makes the news. (Maybe not quite so much any more.) So yeah, ICE engines catch fire 10 times more often, and of course when they do, they’re much more likely to explode. And also, when only the engine catches fire, that’s not even a reported car fire. (My ICE engine caught fire once.)
Demonstrating significant stability just like C4 too huh.
LOL, exactly! Just 5nink abput how many batteries will be needed if the left push us to all electric soon- the demand for batteries will be simly massive- storage of said batteries will be in high demand, there wil. Be mountains of old worn put batteries laying around. Calif recently had severe restrictions on water usage. The greenness will be screaming about water shortages, “man causing water depletion” etc, and the price of batteries Wil. Skyrocket as a result, especially in liberal woke states.
[[Plus, by making EVs more practical for more people, this technology could help put a major dent in the carbon dioxide pollution overheating our Earth]]
They had to throw that lie in there. A rise in co2 always, always follows a rise in temperatures, 100’s of years after temperature rises- never the other way around d, proving that something is causes temperatures to fluctuate, not co2!
Sites like The Cool Down exist to keep the ignorati convinced that Climate Remediation is worth the staggering cost.
"Every great cause begins as a movement, evolves into business, and finally becomes a racket." Eric Hoffer - The Longshoreman Philosopher
I'd like to see a valid study that supports that claim.
“Aqueous batteries use water as the solvent for electrolytes, enhancing the safety of the batteries.”
isn’t that how lead-acid batteries work now: sulfuric acid dissolved in water?
Saturated...................
"!0% the rate"???
Please define that term.
Please cite your sources.
Please show your work.
Thank you.
That’s my point: If any of this was truly a breakthrough, it would NOT be published until patents are filed.
Other factors: I still remember the stories of the 100mpg carburetor and what killed the GM EV1.
Government mandates in a free market do not trump either customer preferences or convenience, and technology limitations - coupled with basic logistics, such as grid and underlying mineral requirements (lithium, copper, etc.) - are assured to guarantee loss of profits, reflecting industry opposition to said mandates for EVs.
That stated, this admin - in concert with other parties - is hellbent upon destroying the free market and making gasoline uncompetitive in pursuit of its mandate (when it’s not an election year).
Water-based?
Does the author mean hydrogen?
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