Original source 

New Design for Lithium-Air Battery Could Offer Much Longer Driving Range Compared with Lithium-Ion Battery

Introduction

The world is moving towards electric vehicles, and the demand for batteries with longer driving ranges is increasing. Lithium-ion batteries are currently the most commonly used batteries in electric vehicles, but they have limitations in terms of driving range. A new design for lithium-air batteries could offer a much longer driving range compared with lithium-ion batteries.

What are Lithium-Air Batteries?

Lithium-air batteries are a type of rechargeable battery that uses oxygen as the cathode and lithium as the anode. The lithium reacts with oxygen to produce lithium peroxide, which is then decomposed during the discharge cycle to release oxygen and lithium ions. This reaction produces a high energy density, which makes it an attractive option for electric vehicles.

Limitations of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries have a limited driving range due to their low energy density. This means that electric vehicles need to be recharged frequently, which can be inconvenient for drivers. Lithium-ion batteries also have a limited lifespan, and their performance degrades over time.

New Design for Lithium-Air Batteries

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new design for lithium-air batteries that could offer a much longer driving range compared with lithium-ion batteries. The new design uses a porous carbon electrode that allows oxygen to enter the battery more easily, which increases the energy density of the battery.

Benefits of the New Design

The new design for lithium-air batteries offers several benefits over lithium-ion batteries. Firstly, the energy density of the battery is much higher, which means that electric vehicles can travel much further on a single charge. Secondly, the new design is more efficient, which means that the battery can be charged and discharged more quickly. Finally, the new design is more environmentally friendly, as it uses oxygen as the cathode instead of toxic metals.

Challenges with Lithium-Air Batteries

Despite the benefits of the new design for lithium-air batteries, there are still several challenges that need to be overcome. Firstly, the battery is still in the experimental stage, and it may take several years before it is commercially available. Secondly, the battery is sensitive to moisture and carbon dioxide, which can reduce its performance. Finally, the battery is still relatively expensive compared with lithium-ion batteries.

Conclusion

The new design for lithium-air batteries offers a promising solution to the limitations of lithium-ion batteries. The higher energy density and efficiency of the battery could revolutionize the electric vehicle industry and make electric vehicles more practical for everyday use. However, there are still several challenges that need to be overcome before the battery can be widely adopted.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between lithium-ion and lithium-air batteries?

Lithium-ion batteries use lithium as the anode and a metal oxide as the cathode, while lithium-air batteries use oxygen as the cathode and lithium as the anode.

2. How does the new design for lithium-air batteries increase the energy density of the battery?

The new design uses a porous carbon electrode that allows oxygen to enter the battery more easily, which increases the energy density of the battery.

3. When will the new design for lithium-air batteries be commercially available?

The battery is still in the experimental stage, and it may take several years before it is commercially available.

4. What are the challenges with lithium-air batteries?

The battery is sensitive to moisture and carbon dioxide, and it is still relatively expensive compared with lithium-ion batteries.

This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.

Most frequent words in this abstract:
batteries (7), driving (4), lithium-air (4), battery (3), lithium-ion (3), longer (3), range (3)