From small portable devices to 'futuristic' pickup trucks, lithium-ion batteries are everywhere. But no matter how well they position themselves as an 'optimal solution' in energy storage, they carry many limitations. One of them is their dependence on metals like nickel and cobalt, both of which have a high environmental and humanitarian impact.
The problems with lithium-ion batteries
There's not much more to add about lithium-ion batteries at this point. They work well enough, their price-performance ratio has improved in recent years, and from time to time they develop a very explosive temperament, associated with serious manufacturing defects or their use under extreme conditions. The most likely thing is that Li-ion technology will stay with us for decades, especially with the advance of electric vehicles. However... they are not free of problems.
Nickel, manganese, cobalt. These metals represent one of the most successful Li-ion systems, but they are problematic. Their extraction is not exactly sustainable, and they come from regions where human and labor rights are virtually nonexistent. Some companies have implemented different initiatives to block or minimize the use of these "conflict metals", but at IBM Research they want to replace them completely.
A new battery chemistry
The team at IBM Research has developed a new battery chemistry that eliminates the use of those metals, and its performance would be superior to lithium in several categories.
Their solution is a new chemistry that combines a cathode free of nickel and cobalt with a liquid electrolyte that has a higher flash point. This configuration suppresses the formation of dendrites in the lithium during the charging process, which reduces the flammability of the material... something we will always agree with. IBM Research did not share the exact formula: It only said that it uses "proprietary materials" extracted from seawater. We are excited, but we want to know more.
And the story does not end there. This new battery is cheaper (after all, metals are eliminated), charges faster (needs less than five minutes to reach 80 percent, a key detail for electric vehicles), exhibits a higher energy density than the best lithium-ion batteries on the market, and its overall efficiency exceeds 90 percent.
Partners and next steps
Now, IBM Research is still "a laboratory", and that means it needs partners to take this new battery out of there. For that reason, it has joined forces with the R&D division of Mercedes-Benz, the company Central Glass (one of the world's leading electrolyte suppliers), and the Chinese battery manufacturer Sidus. In other words, we will have to wait.
https://old.neoteo.com/pilas-tipo-b-por-que-nunca-vemos-baterias-del-tipo-b/Official announcement: Click here
