New trends in lithium battery technology

In recent years, mobile electronic device technology has developed rapidly. More powerful processors, graphics cards, ultra-clear and even flexible screens are all impressive. Unfortunately, breakthroughs in battery technology have been slow, and we still have to endure a day or so of battery life. Although we have been paying attention to the development of new material batteries, in fact, it is lithium battery technology that is most likely to achieve breakthroughs in the near future. Next, let’s take a look at the development of next-generation battery technology.

We now basically use lithium batteries or lithium-ion batteries in mobile electronic devices. Lithium batteries use lithium metal or ion alloy as negative electrode materials and non-aqueous electrolyte solution batteries. Compared with previous nickel-metal hydride batteries, they have larger capacity and are more durable. Good stability and repeated charge and discharge characteristics have become quite mature after years of development. Almost all current consumer-grade lithium batteries are made of anode graphite. As for the shortcomings, through news reports of frequent fires and explosions, we have also learned that lithium batteries are very easy to explode out of control when short-circuited or overheated. This is why we encourage users to use original batteries, chargers, and data cables to prevent lithium-ion batteries. Battery short circuit.

The improvement forms of lithium batteries are diverse, but the direction is basically based on better safety, charging speed, flexible form and performance. Let’s take a look at several new technologies that are expected to make breakthroughs.

1. Faster charging speed

The R&D team of Nangyang University of Science and Technology has developed a new type of lithium battery. The idea is different from other technologies. It does not increase the capacity but the charging time. In just two minutes, it can be quickly charged to 70% of the battery, and can be charged more than 10,000 times. This technology uses titanium dioxide instead of graphite as the anode material, and Qualcomm also achieves a more stable charging effect through better control of the chip. This technology is characterized by low cost and is very suitable for mobile products and electronic automobile industries.

2. Non-flammable components

First of all, the safety of lithium batteries is the issue that people want to solve most. Scientists have found that an organic solvent called PFPE is more stable and can reduce the impact of crystallization on electrodes, improve safety and extend battery life. While the technology still takes some time to test, non-flammable lithium batteries are expected to be available soon.

3. Flexible lithium battery

We are all looking forward to the emergence of completely flexible electronic devices, but even though flexible screens have made considerable progress, batteries are still a problem. LG recently demonstrated a fully rollable OLED screen. The screen, circuitry and battery are also bendable. This is the closest thing we have seen to a flexible electronic device in a science fiction movie.

In addition, a Taiwanese company also recently announced the production of flexible ceramic polymer lithium batteries, which have extremely safe characteristics. While the battery capacity may not be ideal, it is well suited for a wearable device that is expected to be launched in the market this year.

4. Lithium-sulfur and lithium-air batteries

Two other promising new types of lithium batteries are lithium-sulfur and lithium-air batteries. The characteristic of the former is that it does not require highly volatile solvents, which greatly reduces the risk of fire, even if it suffers a large impact; the latter theoretically has a higher energy density and is suitable for products such as electric vehicles, but the challenge is that new types of Electrodes and electrolytes. From the current point of view, lithium-sulfur batteries have the advantages of large capacity, low cost, and high safety, and are very likely to become mainstream first.

5. Lithium anode

Scientists at Stanford University recently published a paper and found that ultra-thin carbon clusters can allow lithium metal to be used as an anode, with a power increase of 10 times that of current graphite anodes. However, its current efficiency can only reach 96%, and it will take some time to enter the mass electronic consumer market.

6. Magnesium battery

Magnesium is also a metal element that is expected to be used in the battery field. Magnesium ions can carry twice the energy of lithium ions, while having shorter charging time and stable performance. Magnesium batteries have been commercialized a few years ago, so they are expected to appear in the consumer field faster than other new battery materials.

7. Supercapacitor

Supercapacitor is a battery technology that is different from the traditional lithium structure and can achieve large capacity and ultra-high-speed charging. However, the main obstacle is that capacitors usually cannot store energy. Tsinghua University in my country, the University of Texas in the United States, and the National University of Singapore are all developing supercapacitor batteries with different storage materials, including carbon nanofluids, graphene, etc. However, these technologies still have hidden dangers such as bulkiness and high energy accumulation stability. It will be difficult to popularize it in the consumer market in the short term.

The above new battery technologies are still in the research and development stage, but what is certain is that improved technologies based on lithium batteries are expected to be the first to land on the market. We are expected to use lithium batteries that charge faster, are more durable and safer within a few years. Completely different battery types such as supercapacitors, magnesium batteries, air batteries, and solar cells still need time to be perfected. Once successful, the next revolution in electronic devices will come, and enjoying fast online games is no longer a myth.

We now basically use lithium batteries or lithium-ion batteries in mobile electronic devices. Lithium batteries use lithium metal or ion alloy as negative electrode materials and non-aqueous electrolyte solution batteries. Compared with previous nickel-metal hydride batteries, they have larger capacity and are more durable. Good stability and repeated charge and discharge characteristics have become quite mature after years of development. Almost all current consumer-grade lithium batteries are made of anode graphite. As for the shortcomings, through news reports of frequent fires and explosions, we have also learned that lithium batteries are very easy to explode out of control when short-circuited or overheated. This is why we encourage users to use original batteries, chargers, and data cables to prevent lithium-ion batteries. Battery short circuit.

The improvement forms of lithium batteries are diverse, but the direction is basically based on better safety, charging speed, flexible form and performance. Let’s take a look at several new technologies that are expected to make breakthroughs.

1. Faster charging speed

The R&D team of Nangyang University of Science and Technology has developed a new type of lithium battery. The idea is different from other technologies. It does not increase the capacity but the charging time. In just two minutes, it can be quickly charged to 70% of the battery, and can be charged more than 10,000 times. This technology uses titanium dioxide instead of graphite as the anode material, and Qualcomm also achieves a more stable charging effect through better control of the chip. This technology is characterized by low cost and is very suitable for mobile products and electronic automobile industries.

2. Non-flammable components

First of all, the safety of lithium batteries is the issue that people want to solve most. Scientists have found that an organic solvent called PFPE is more stable and can reduce the impact of crystallization on electrodes, improve safety and extend battery life. While the technology still takes some time to test, non-flammable lithium batteries are expected to be available soon.

3. Flexible lithium battery

We are all looking forward to the emergence of completely flexible electronic devices, but even though flexible screens have made considerable progress, batteries are still a problem. LG recently demonstrated a fully rollable OLED screen. The screen, circuitry and battery are also bendable. This is the closest thing we have seen to a flexible electronic device in a science fiction movie.

In addition, a Taiwanese company also recently announced the production of flexible ceramic polymer lithium batteries, which have extremely safe characteristics. While the battery capacity may not be ideal, it is well suited for a wearable device that is expected to be launched in the market this year.

4. Lithium-sulfur and lithium-air batteries

Two other promising new types of lithium batteries are lithium-sulfur and lithium-air batteries. The characteristic of the former is that it does not require highly volatile solvents, which greatly reduces the risk of fire, even if it suffers a large impact; the latter theoretically has a higher energy density and is suitable for products such as electric vehicles, but the challenge is that new types of Electrodes and electrolytes. From the current point of view, lithium-sulfur batteries have the advantages of large capacity, low cost, and high safety, and are very likely to become mainstream first.

5. Lithium anode

Scientists at Stanford University recently published a paper and found that ultra-thin carbon clusters can allow lithium metal to be used as an anode, with a power increase of 10 times that of current graphite anodes. However, its current efficiency can only reach 96%, and it will take some time to enter the mass electronic consumer market.

6. Magnesium battery

Magnesium is also a metal element that is expected to be used in the battery field. Magnesium ions can carry twice the energy of lithium ions, while having shorter charging time and stable performance. Magnesium batteries have been commercialized a few years ago, so they are expected to appear in the consumer field faster than other new battery materials.

7. Supercapacitor

Supercapacitor is a battery technology that is different from the traditional lithium structure and can achieve large capacity and ultra-high-speed charging. However, the main obstacle is that capacitors usually cannot store energy. Tsinghua University in my country, the University of Texas in the United States, and the National University of Singapore are all developing supercapacitor batteries with different storage materials, including carbon nanofluids, graphene, etc. However, these technologies still have hidden dangers such as bulkiness and high energy accumulation stability. It will be difficult to popularize it in the consumer market in the short term.

The above new battery technologies are still in the research and development stage, but what is certain is that improved technologies based on lithium batteries are expected to be the first to land on the market. We are expected to use lithium batteries that charge faster, are more durable and safer within a few years. Completely different battery types such as supercapacitors, magnesium batteries, air batteries, and solar cells still need time to be perfected. Once successful, the next revolution in electronic devices will come, and enjoying fast online games is no longer a myth.