IBM Research reports (LINK) on a cobalt and nickel free battery technology based on a new cathode and electrode material. Dr. Young-Hye Na (LINK) is the manager of the research group dedicated to ‘Materials and Process Innovations for Energy Industry’ at IBM Almaden Research Center. Her research team is currently focusing on the development of next generation energy storage systems including metal-air batteries, solid-state electrolytes, new battery chemistries based on Cobalt-free cathode materials, and microbatteries.
Most lithium-ion battery material stacks include metals such as nickel and cobalt, which pose tremendous environmental and humanitarian risks in the sourcing of metals. Especially cobalt that is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo has come under fire for careless and exploitative extraction practices. Recently, International Rights Advocates sued Apple, Tesla, and other tech companies over the deaths of children working in these mines (LINK).
The new battery still uses lithium, but because it is generated from seawater rather than mined, there is little impact on the environment.
Most lithium-ion battery material stacks include metals such as nickel and cobalt, which pose tremendous environmental and humanitarian risks in the sourcing of metals. Especially cobalt that is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo has come under fire for careless and exploitative extraction practices. Recently, International Rights Advocates sued Apple, Tesla, and other tech companies over the deaths of children working in these mines (LINK).
The new battery still uses lithium, but because it is generated from seawater rather than mined, there is little impact on the environment.
IBM development lab for next-generation batteries (Photo credit: IBM Research's lab in Almaden, California)
Using three new and different proprietary materials, which have never before been recorded as being combined in a battery, a team at IBM Research has discovered a chemistry for a new battery that does not use heavy metals or other substances with sourcing concerns. The materials for this battery can be extracted from seawater, laying the groundwork for less invasive sourcing techniques than current material mining methods.
"This new research could help eliminate the need for heavy metals in battery production and transform the long-term sustainability of many elements of our energy infrastructure," Young-Hye Na, manager of materials innovations for next-generation batteries at IBM Research's lab in Almaden, California, wrote in a blog post.
Importantly, IBM have also proved that the battery outperforms lithium-ion versions, so it has the potential to improve electric vehicles and energy storage. When optimized for performance, the battery has a higher power density than lithium-ion, meaning potentially smaller batteries that could be transformative for technology like electric aircraft.
Also, it takes only five minutes to reach an 80 percent charge, a length of time similar to filling up a tank of petrol at a service station. It is also low-cost, thanks to the materials sourcing method, and has low flammability, so it is safer to use.
"This new research could help eliminate the need for heavy metals in battery production and transform the long-term sustainability of many elements of our energy infrastructure," Young-Hye Na, manager of materials innovations for next-generation batteries at IBM Research's lab in Almaden, California, wrote in a blog post.
Importantly, IBM have also proved that the battery outperforms lithium-ion versions, so it has the potential to improve electric vehicles and energy storage. When optimized for performance, the battery has a higher power density than lithium-ion, meaning potentially smaller batteries that could be transformative for technology like electric aircraft.
Also, it takes only five minutes to reach an 80 percent charge, a length of time similar to filling up a tank of petrol at a service station. It is also low-cost, thanks to the materials sourcing method, and has low flammability, so it is safer to use.
IBM is partnering with Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America as well as battery companies Central Glass and Sidus to further develop the technology.
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By Abhishekkumar Thakur
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