PHOTO CAPTION: A future 24kWh lithium-air battery in the Nissan LEAF would weigh less than 5 lbs. (2.2 kg).

Researchers Making Progress on Lithium-Air Batteries

Lithiated silicon-carbon anodes may be secret to powerful electric vehicle batteries with energy densities a 1,000 times that of today's lithium-ion cells.

Published: 08-Nov-2012

Researchers from the University of Rome Sapienza (Italy), Argonne National Laboratory (United States), and Hanyang University (South Korea) have shown that the construction of lithium-air batteries without lithium metal is possible. A lithiated silicon-carbon anode can be used instead. As is the case with many new technologies, there are drawbacks to this one.

Two drawbacks are that such batteries have a lower capacity and a lower voltage than normal lithium-air batteries. However, the new battery is safer and has a greater energy density than lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-air batteries are being sought by multiple organizations, including IBM, due to the fact that they have the potential to store a stunning 11,140 Wh/kg.




Zabuye Salt Lake in Tibet





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