Smaller batteries for large applications

Three independent research teams announced breakthroughs that could revolutionize the widely used rechargeable lithium batteries.

A new substance from polymer gel ("gel") replaces the volatile and dangerous liquid electrolyte currently used in most batteries of this type, thus allowing the creation of new batteries that are smaller, more power, lower cost ( 10% to 20%) and will provide greater security to the user (will be much lower risk of fire due to battery overheating), as transmits the RES.
Researchers at Leeds University in Britain, according to the BBC, hoping that, among other things, their discovery, when it found applications in commercial products, will result in smaller portable computers and more efficient energy-efficient electric cars.

Several computer companies have tried to solve the problem of batteries. For example, Apple uses a solid polymer electrolyte by, but at the cost of reducing the energy efficiency of computers. In the automotive sector and the electrification of vehicles, the companies, to increase the safety of the batteries especially when charging them, invest them with steel cases, while increasing the security and electronic circuits, but that increase both the size of batteries and their cost.

The new batteries with the electrolyte gel act like batteries with liquid electrolyte, but prevent overheating. The secret lies in mixing a polymer, which resembles a rubber with a conductive liquid electrolyte, on a thin flexible film of gel that is placed between the electrodes of the battery. The polymer-like solid, but actually contains about 70% liquid electrolyte.

In a related development on the lithium ion, researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy, which published the work on the magazine for new materials "Advanced Materials", found that titanium dioxide creates a new material that increases the surface of the battery, facilitates loading, improves strength and safety.

The researchers reported that, compared to current lithium batteries, achieved dramatic improvements in charging time and capacity, making it possible to charge 50% of the battery in just six minutes, when at the same time would be charged only 10 % of a conventional lithium-ion battery based on graphite. The innovative batteries are suitable for hybrid and electric cars. But further studies are needed to assure scientists that the new material (which is not considered potentially expensive) can actually be used on an industrial scale.

Finally, a third hand on the lithium ion batteries, the discovery of a new material from brown seaweed, which can be used in electrodes of batteries, increasing energy capacity and power, while eliminating the need for using toxic substances during the production of current batteries based on graphite.

The discovery, published in the magazine "Science", conducted by researchers from American universities, Georgia Tech (Georgia Institute of Technology) and Klemson, funded by NASA and the motor Honda. The new material may lead to cheaper, stronger, more environmentally friendly and longer lasting lithium batteries.