Advanced battery technologies are set to revolutionize everything from electric vehicles to smartphones.
For years, lithium-ion batteries have been the gold standard for powering devices ranging from smartphones to electric cars. However, this technology has limitations, including safety concerns, energy density, and sustainability challenges. Researchers and companies worldwide are racing to develop new battery technologies that promise to overcome these challenges and transform the way we power our daily lives. Below are five emerging battery technologies shaping the future of energy.
1. Supercapacitors with Extended Energy Storage
One of the most exciting advancements comes from the University of Washington, where scientists have developed a new type of supercapacitor. These capacitors can store energy much longer than traditional ones without compromising their fast charge and discharge capabilities.
This innovation features a unique structure: a 3D layer between 2D layers, which arranges materials into atom-thin layers with both chemical and non-chemical bonds. This allows for energy densities up to 19 times higher than conventional ceramic capacitors, with efficiencies reaching 90%.
Such technology could reduce the burden on batteries in electric vehicles and large electronic devices, leading to improved performance and extended operational time.
2. Silicon Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Sila Nanotechnologies is collaborating with Panasonic to produce silicon anode materials for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles. Silicon offers significantly higher energy density than traditional graphite, enabling driving ranges of up to 500 miles (805 km) on a single charge and much faster recharge times.
This breakthrough could be a game-changer for the EV market, addressing concerns about range anxiety and charging speed.
3. Sodium-Ion Batteries
Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) are exploring the potential of sodium-ion batteries.
The advantage of sodium-ion batteries lies in their use of sodium, a more abundant and cost-effective element than lithium. While previous sodium-ion batteries struggled with slow charging, low capacity, and limited storage, KAIST researchers have resolved these issues by employing new materials for the anode and cathode.
The result is a hybrid energy storage system with an energy density of up to 247 Wh/kg—higher than commercial lithium-ion batteries—and nearly 100% efficiency after 5,000 charge-discharge cycles. Additionally, their charging speed is over 100 times faster than conventional batteries.
4. Water-Based Batteries
Battery safety is a significant concern, particularly with lithium-ion batteries prone to overheating and combustion. Addressing this issue, researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, have developed water-based metal-ion batteries.
These batteries use water as an electrolyte, eliminating the risk of fire or explosion. Their magnesium-ion water-based batteries have shown promising results, delivering competitive energy density and a more sustainable production process.
5. Pulse Charging Protocols
A new charging protocol using pulse currents (PC) has demonstrated the ability to double the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries.
In studies applying PC charging to lithium-ion batteries, the cycle life increased from 500 to over 1,000 cycles before the battery's capacity degraded to around 80%. By optimizing PC cycles, researchers believe they can significantly extend the lifespan of batteries used in smartphones and laptops, reducing electronic waste and improving sustainability.