Most modern electronic devices, from smartphones and electric vehicles to large-scale energy storage systems, depend on lithium-ion battery technology. These batteries have become the go-to choice because they pack a significant amount of energy into a small space, recharge quickly, and provide a relatively long lifespan.
However, the search for even better battery solutions continues. Researchers and developers are actively working on new battery technologies that aim to surpass lithium-ion batteries in efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. Many of these new approaches don’t entirely reinvent the wheel; they often operate on similar principles as lithium-ion batteries but utilize different materials.
How Lithium-Ion Batteries Work
In a lithium-ion battery, lithium is stored in two electrodes: the anode (positive electrode) and the cathode (negative electrode). A liquid electrolyte or separator facilitates the transport of positively charged lithium ions between these electrodes. This movement of ions creates free electrons in the anode, leading to a buildup of charge at the positive current collector. This charge then flows through the device to the negative current collector, powering the device.
During discharge, the anode transfers lithium ions to the cathode, and during charging, the process is reversed. While lithium-ion batteries have improved significantly over the years, particularly in extending device runtimes and the range of electric vehicles, they have certain drawbacks.
The most significant concerns, and the primary driving force behind research into alternative battery technologies, are related to safety issues, particularly the risk of fire, and the sustainability of the materials used in their production, such as cobalt, nickel, and magnesium.
New Battery Technologies
Here are some of the most promising new battery technologies that could one day replace or complement lithium-ion batteries:
- Solid-state batteries
- Lithium-sulfur batteries
- Cobalt-free lithium-ion batteries
- Sodium-ion batteries
- Iron-air batteries
- Zinc-based batteries
- Graphene batteries
Solid-State Batteries
How Do They Work?
Instead of relying on a liquid or gel electrolyte, solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte. These solid electrolytes are typically made of materials like ceramics, glass, solid polymers, or sulphites.
How Will They Be Used?
BMW has received its first batch of solid-state batteries from Solid Power and is actively working on incorporating this technology into its vehicles. However, commercial production may not begin before 2030. Toyota is also pursuing solid-state battery technology and could potentially launch cars with these batteries as early as 2026.
Solid-state batteries are already used in devices such as pacemakers and some smartwatches. Smartphones and tablets could be next.
Pros and Cons of Solid-State Batteries
Compared to lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries offer several advantages. They are more energy-dense, meaning they can pack more power into the same size. This could lead to more compact and lighter electric vehicle batteries with faster charging times and longer ranges.
Solid-state batteries are also believed to have a longer lifespan, potentially offering up to seven times more recharge cycles. Furthermore, because of their solid electrolyte, they’re inherently less prone to fire hazards than lithium-ion batteries.
One challenge associated with solid-state batteries is the difficulty in scaling up production and verifying performance early on – it takes time to engineer and verify the performance of solid-state batteries. This also adds to delayed release dates.
Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
How Do They Work?
This technology uses sulfur for the battery’s cathode, which is more sustainable than the nickel and cobalt typically found in the anode of lithium-ion batteries.
How Will They Be Used?
Companies like Conamix are working to develop lithium-sulfur batteries, with a target for commercial availability by 2028. There is also potential for these batteries to power aircraft, trains, and energy storage systems.
Pros and Cons of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
Lithium-sulfur batteries are believed to be more efficient than lithium-ion batteries, potentially increasing the range of electric vehicles and improving energy storage capacity. Sulfur itself is a more affordable and abundant material, which could lead to lower costs. However, the manufacturing process is similar to that of lithium-ion batteries, meaning that existing facilities can likely be used.
Advancements in lithium-sulfur batteries have resulted in ultra-fast charging, making them useful for raising the storage capacity of renewable energy technologies. One of the primary drawbacks of this new technology is corrosion, although new designs are in development to address this issue. Another limitation is that these batteries currently have a shorter lifespan compared to lithium-ion batteries.
Cobalt-Free Lithium-Ion Batteries
How Do They Work?
These batteries share the operational principles of lithium-ion batteries but omit the use of cobalt, which is often used to stabilize the cathode in a traditional setup.
How Will They Be Used?
Cobalt-free lithium-ion batteries are being developed for use in a variety of devices currently powered by lithium-ion batteries, with much of the focus on applications in electric vehicles. Several Tesla models utilize these batteries, and Lamborghini is planning on incorporating a new cobalt-free MIT battery technology.
Pros and Cons of Cobalt-Free Lithium-Ion Batteries
The primary benefit of cobalt-free batteries is the elimination of cobalt, which is an expensive material to source and whose mining is often associated with human rights concerns. The U.S. Department of Energy aims to end the use of cobalt in lithium batteries by 2030.
However, alternatives to cobalt also present their own challenges. The mining and extraction processes of cobalt alternatives can be toxic and dangerous. Furthermore, some alternatives, like those being developed under the name of TAQ, are still relatively new and require more extensive testing. For these reasons, companies have not yet completely eliminated cobalt.
Sodium-Ion Batteries
How Do They Work?
These batteries are similar to lithium-ion batteries, but instead, they use saltwater as an electrolyte.
How Will They Be Used?
Sodium-ion batteries are considered promising for energy storage applications. As research progresses, they could also be used to improve charging speeds in EVs, mobile devices, and space technology.
Pros and Cons of Sodium-Ion Batteries
Despite having a lower energy density than lithium-ion batteries, able to store approximately two-thirds the amount of energy, sodium-ion batteries are more affordable and safer due to a reduced fire risk. They also perform comparatively well at lower temperatures. While sodium-ion batteries have previously been considered inefficient for electric vehicles, researchers are actively working on ways to improve charging speeds and energy density.
Iron-Air Batteries
How Do They Work?
Iron-air batteries function by oxidizing iron – using air to turn iron into rust – to produce energy. During charging, the process is reversed, and the cells are transformed back to iron through reverse oxidation.
How Will They Be Used?
These batteries are very well-suited for energy storage. They can provide up to 100 hours of storage at a tenth of the cost compared to lithium-ion batteries.
Form Energy is one company that’s building facilities and partnerships to expand its technology. These developments are allowing the company to provide crucial energy support to power plants.
Pros and Cons of Iron-Air Batteries
Iron-air batteries are very affordable because iron and air are abundant resources. They are up to 10 times cheaper and can last up to 17 times longer. The main drawbacks are that they are large and recharge slowly.
Zinc-Based Batteries
How Do They Work?
These batteries operate on similar principles to lithium-ion batteries, with zinc ions flowing from the battery’s anode to its cathode. This category includes various types, such as zinc-bromine, zinc-manganese dioxide, zinc-air, and zinc-ion batteries.
How Will They Be Used?
Zinc-based batteries show promise for solar energy storage given their low rate of self-discharge. Zinc-air battery storage systems have even been installed in communities.
Eos Energy received a loan from the Department of Energy to improve climate technology with its batteries.
Pros and Cons of Zinc-Based Batteries
Zinc-based batteries often have a high energy storage capacity. The materials used are also affordable, non-toxic and readily available.
Researchers have been working to solve technical problems related to these batteries, such as the potential for short circuits. They’re also inefficient, and expensive to produce, so more research is required.
Graphene Batteries
How Do They Work?
Graphene batteries combine solid-state materials and graphene – a thin layer of carbon atoms in a honeycomb structure – in their cathodes.
How Will They Be Used?
Graphene batteries are viewed as a major upgrade, and they are expected to reshape the EV industry, as well as be used in everyday devices like smartphones and computers.
Pros and Cons of Graphene Batteries
These batteries are much more conductive than their lithium-ion counterparts, leading to faster charging, increased capacity, and longer lifespans. Graphene’s sturdy structure also makes it a reliable material with less risk of battery explosions and fires.
The main challenge for graphene batteries is their cost. The technology remains expensive and largely inaccessible due to the challenges in mass production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which battery technology is best?
Every battery type presents its own advantages and disadvantages; however, solid-state batteries are seen as a potentially viable candidate because they last longer and are more efficient than lithium-ion batteries.
What battery will replace lithium?
Sodium-ion batteries are regarded as a safer, more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries. There are other alternatives, such as iron-air batteries, zinc-based batteries, and lithium-sulfur batteries.
Is battery tech improving?
Researchers have continued to improve battery technology, creating more efficient, safer, and longer-lasting options when compared to lithium-ion batteries. Graphene batteries are one of the latest technologies that are in development and promise faster charging, longer lifespans, and greater safety compared to lithium-ion batteries.
