Scientists have long tried to find a cheaper and better alternative to lithium batteries and we’ve seen much promising research before. So far not much has come from it, so let us hope it will be different this time. Japanese researchers are developing a new form of batteries, sodium-ion batteries. They are said to have seven times the capacity and thereby last seven as long as traditional lithium batteries, at a fraction of the costs.
One of the biggest benefits of this, is that sodium (salt) is a common element and there isn’t any real chance that we run out of it, unlike for lithium batteries. Many will doubt the reality of this, but the theory on their research is solid and it’s just a matter of time before we see a new type of batteries, sodium or something else.
This new battery type doesn’t just use sodium elements. It also uses carbon to protect the flow of the sodium ions. The role of carbon can be repeatedly charged and discharged. The new sodium ion rechargeable batteries are expected to begin appearing in smart phones within the next 5-10 years, but will also be applied to electric vehicles and other areas.
Thank you CNbeta for providing us with this information.
Images courtesy of CNbeta.
