Researchers Developing Lithium-based Battery with Increased Energy Density

VentureBeat reported yesterday that researchers at the University of Tokyo’s School of Engineering have found a way to make a lithium-based battery “with seven times the energy density of current lithium-ion batteries.” Their work is of course still in the early stages.

As quoted in the market news:

Led by Professor Noritaka Mizuno, the team have used a new material on the positive electrode in the battery, formed by adding cobalt to the lithium oxide crystal structure. This aids an oxidation-reduction reaction during which peroxides are produced, and electrical energy is generated.

The researchers claim energy density of 2,570 watt-hours per kilogram. That’s actually a little less than the theoretical density of lithium-air technology (3,460 Wh/kg, and a current leader in lithium battery developments) but as a sealed design it’s more stable (and therefore safer) than lithium-air.

The team also proved that there are no unwanted byproducts in the battery’s acceptable charging and discharging cycle — no excess oxygen or carbon dioxide is produced during the reactions.

Tests at the university have also shown it’s possible to repeatedly charge and discharge the battery at a large current, boding well for faster charging.

Click here to read the full VentureBeat article.