Our phones could stay powered for over a week with whole new approach to batteries. Korean researchers have created a battery that can replace lithium-ion batteries altogether. The new fuel cell battery is scalable and can be used in everything from a phone to a car. (via Pohang University of Science and Technology)(Image via vadimguzhva - Getty Images)
The race to cure the issues of lithium-ion batteries is still on and researchers, led by Professor of Materials Science & Engineering Gyeong Man Choi, believe they have solved it once and for all. Rather than dreaming up ways to make lithium more feasible, they have invented an entirely new kind of battery that they call a miniature solid oxide fuel cell. This battery is the first of its kind and seems to solve a lot of issues caused by the use of lithium-ion batteries – including its relatively short battery life and tendency to overheat and potentially explode.
Their new breakthrough is published in Nature’s Scientific Reports 6, Article number: 22443. Within the article, this research team from Pohang University of Science and Technology demonstrates their new technology and advocates for how it can be used in everything from cellphones, to electric cars. Their mini fuel cell is completely scalable, according to their research and design. Meaning that they should be able to create a viable battery for cellphones, cars, drones, and more without a hitch.
Based upon the higher energy density of their fuel cell (~ 560 mW cm-2 at 550 oC), they estimate that this type of battery could keep a cellphone charged for a full week and could keep a drone flying in the air for a full hour. This certainly seems promising from a consumer’s standpoint. It also operates at ‘minimal heat-capacity’ meaning that there should be no fear of the battery overheating; which should increase the battery’s life cycle.
Their new mini solid oxide fuel cell (which may need a new commercial name, I think), is the first in the world to combine porous stainless steel and thin-film electrolytes and electrodes. The use of porous stainless steel makes the fuel cell durable and thermally able to facilitate stable oxidation/reduction reactions. Further, the use of thin-film electrolytes and electrodes allows the reactions to take place at minimum heat capacity. The fuel cells are created by a process called ‘tape casting-lamination-cofiring’ (TLC) which makes them a viable replacement for the current SOFC fuel cells used in larger commercial products.
Overall, this new technology seems like a viable replacement for lithium-ion batteries, but it all depends upon whether manufacturers actually decide to adopt it. Recently, other recent innovations have included utilizing nickel ions and graphene to prevent overheating from lithium-ion batteries, but few have ventured as far to create a new battery type altogether. This can either be a strength or a weakness in the eyes of manufacturers for Prof. Choi and his team. I guess it will all depend upon manufacturing costs and competitive advantage as to if and when we get to reap the benefits of this new battery.
However, Choi says that they are not only targeting the smartphone and drone market, but that they really hope this battery can become the fuel cell of the automobiles of the future. Fingers crossed!
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