Solid-state lithium-ion batteries are a hallowed goal in energy: they’d be more powerful – and safer – than current commercial liquid-based models. But researchers are still looking for solid materials that can conduct electricity well and integrate with the rest of the battery. One such substance has been found by a team of US materials … Continue reading Batt-trees? Cellulose in solid-state batteries shows promise
Tag: batteries
Lithium: Powering the Green Revolution
by Richard A Lovett As the climate warms, sea levels rise and droughts, heatwaves and bushfires multiply, the need to usher in the green-energy future is increasingly urgent. But that doesn’t mean it can be done without significant challenges – not just in the economy (as it makes the changeover), but technologically and scientifically as … Continue reading Lithium: Powering the Green Revolution
Predicting the life and death of batteries
Estimating battery life is one of the great modern dilemmas, and the older the item, the harder it gets. But researchers at Stanford University, US, may be about to save us all. They’ve developed a model they say can predict the true condition of a rechargeable battery in real-time. The algorithm combines sensor data with … Continue reading Predicting the life and death of batteries
Exploring potential of solar-flow batteries
Scientists continue to advance the potential to use solar-flow batteries to provide electricity in remote areas. An international team of chemists and solar cell researchers reports in the journal Nature Materials that it has developed a single device that contains both a solar cell to convert sunlight into electricity and chemicals that can store the … Continue reading Exploring potential of solar-flow batteries
Can cabbage make batteries greener?
As the world works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, interest in electric vehicles is increasing. This, along with the steady demand for new smartphones, computers and other electronic gadgets, is leading to an increased need for lithium-ion batteries — and, thus, lithium as well. Traditional mineral extraction comes with a slew of issues, both environmental … Continue reading Can cabbage make batteries greener?
New research to make better batteries
The quest for a better battery is engaging a lot of scientific minds, but it’s not often three advances are reported at pretty well the same time. Two from the US address the challenge of making next-gen lithium batteries more commercially viable, while the third, from the UK, uses MRI in a novel way. In … Continue reading New research to make better batteries
Charge a car in just 10 minutes?
It’s possible say the engineers behind a new lithium battery.
How the bunnies got their power
Jeff Glorfeld looks back at the birth of the battery.
Race for potassium batteries hots up
Research aims to solve problems arising with potential lithium rival. Phil Dooley reports.
Australia seeks to develop lithium capacity
National science body investigates economics of recycling and reuse of batteries. Geetanjali Rangnekar reports.
Long live the power of lithium!
The queen of rechargeable batteries shall reign for the foreseeable future.
Three-minute thesis: Piezoelectric energy harvesting – human movements will power smartphones
Energy harvesters could open up exciting possibilities for powering portable devices.