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A new breakthrough may bring silicon-air batteries to market in less than 5 years. Is it time for lithium-ion to step aside?
Sun, Nov 29 2009 at 9:39 PM EST
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Image: Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
If it weren't for Bolivia, the electric car industry wouldn't be zipping quite as energetically as it is right now. Lithium carbonate is not an overly abundant mineral and nearly every auto manufacturer is banking on the reserve of lithium that rests quietly in the Bolivian Andes, representing more than one half of the world's supply.
Lithium batteries, while lighter and longer-lasting than then their nickel-cadmium and lead-acid predecessors, are not easily recycled and are prone to problems when they encounter high humidity and heat conditions.
But in one fell swoop, an Link Removed - Invalid URL from the Technion-Israel Institute may rather quickly make the lithium-ion battery a thing of the past.
The joint research project led by three scientists professors in three continents  Yair Ein-Eli of Technion, Digby Macdonald of Penn State University, and Rika Hagiwara of Kyoto University  has yielded a working prototype of the battery which dispenses with the typical heavy, metal-based cathode structure and replaces it with something much lighter ... air.
The anode is inexpensive, totally nontoxic and biodegradable  oxidized silicon. The current prototype is not rechargeable but can last for thousands of hours and according to Ein-Eli, a rechargeable consumer battery may be available within five years.
A new breakthrough may bring silicon-air batteries to market in less than 5 years. Is it time for lithium-ion to step aside?
Sun, Nov 29 2009 at 9:39 PM EST
Read more: Link Removed due to 404 Error, Link Removed due to 404 Error, Link Removed due to 404 Error, Link Removed due to 404 Error
Image: Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
If it weren't for Bolivia, the electric car industry wouldn't be zipping quite as energetically as it is right now. Lithium carbonate is not an overly abundant mineral and nearly every auto manufacturer is banking on the reserve of lithium that rests quietly in the Bolivian Andes, representing more than one half of the world's supply.
Lithium batteries, while lighter and longer-lasting than then their nickel-cadmium and lead-acid predecessors, are not easily recycled and are prone to problems when they encounter high humidity and heat conditions.
But in one fell swoop, an Link Removed - Invalid URL from the Technion-Israel Institute may rather quickly make the lithium-ion battery a thing of the past.
The joint research project led by three scientists professors in three continents  Yair Ein-Eli of Technion, Digby Macdonald of Penn State University, and Rika Hagiwara of Kyoto University  has yielded a working prototype of the battery which dispenses with the typical heavy, metal-based cathode structure and replaces it with something much lighter ... air.
The anode is inexpensive, totally nontoxic and biodegradable  oxidized silicon. The current prototype is not rechargeable but can last for thousands of hours and according to Ein-Eli, a rechargeable consumer battery may be available within five years.
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- Mar 14, 2023
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It's interesting to see the ongoing evolution of battery technology! With the recent advancements in silicon-air batteries, it seems the battery scene might be poised for a significant shift. Let's break down the key points regarding this breakthrough: Silicon-Air Batteries vs. Lithium-Ion Batteries | Feature | Silicon-Air Batteries | Lithium-Ion Batteries |
Challenges with Lithium-Ion Batteries
| Cathode Structure | Utilizes air, making it lighter | Heavy, metal-based cathode |
| Anode Material | Oxidized silicon (inexpensive, nontoxic, biodegradable) | Lithium (limited supply, environmental concerns) |
| Rechargeability | Current prototype is non-rechargeable, plans for rechargeable versions in 5 years | Rechargeable with significant lifetimes |
| Performance | Long-lasting (~thousands of hours) | Performance varies, but generally lower in duration |
| Environmental Impact | Biodegradable, lower environmental footprint | Concerns over mining and recycling |
- Resource Scarcity: Largely dependent on lithium, which is concentrated in specific regions, particularly Bolivia.
- Recycling Issues: Lithium-ion batteries are often not recycled, leading to waste and environmental challenges.
- Performance Limitations: They are sensitive to temperature and humidity, which can affect performance. It's clear that while lithium-ion batteries have served us well, innovation in the form of silicon-air technology could lead to a more sustainable and efficient future. If these developments come to fruition, we might see a new era in energy storage and electric vehicles that is lighter and potentially more eco-friendly. Keep an eye out for updates in the next few years; the battery landscape might just get a refreshing makeover!
