Researchers Are Developing A New Battery – Made Of Aluminum & Sulfur

Researchers have developed a new type of battery made of aluminum and sulfur. Both materials are relatively inexpensive and readily available. The storm, therefore, costs only one-sixth of a classic lithium-ion battery. 

The importance of batteries is increasing in a world where we rely on renewable energy sources. According to statistics, around 24.4 percent of all passenger cars will be electric in 2030. In absolute numbers, that’s approximately 11.55 million vehicles.

At the same time, the electricity mix is ​​becoming greener, and new capacities for solar, hydro, and wind power are connected to the grid. However, huge batteries are always needed to have energy in reserve when we need it.

There are already some new concepts for this, such as a battery based on carbon dioxide or plastic. However, the price is limited because a good battery must also be affordable.

New Battery On Sulfur And Aluminum

A new proposal is now coming from various scientists, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). You rely on a battery made of abundantly available and inexpensive materials. The electrodes consist of aluminum and sulfur. Molten salt becomes a cheap electrolyte.

This brings with it several advantages. Because today’s lithium-ion batteries are highly flammable. However, this can be avoided by using salt. In addition, aluminum is considered a material with high availability on the international market. Sulfur, in turn, is a waste product from various processes and is relatively cheap.

New Cells Are Particularly Robust And Can Be Used Flexibly

The prototype has already withstood hundreds of undamaged charging cycles and costs only one-sixth of a lithium-ion cell. The salt used also prevents corrosion of the electrodes. For comparison: With conventional batteries, a little “dirt” always settles on the anode or cathode, impairs performance.

The researchers meanwhile speak of small or medium-sized buildings as possible locations. The new sulfur-aluminum battery can also be used to store electric charging stations.

In contrast to classic approaches, no active cooling is necessary. The battery cools itself when it is charged and discharged. However, it is still unclear when the new battery will be on the market. Further tests should first show the potential of the technology.

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