A group of scientists from Riverside, California, discovered an innovative method for transforming glass waste into lithium-ion energy storage devices. These batteries have a capacity of 4 times more than traditional lithium-based drives. In addition, the researchers claim that such batteries have a long service life.
On a global scale, the use of this technology means a significant reduction in prices for mobile phones, laptops, tablets, etc. The introduction of this method of creating a battery significantly reduces the amount of waste from the glass. Researchers say that such batteries can even be used in electric cars.
The main idea of the project was the use of silicon dioxide as a material for creating batteries. This component is extracted from glass waste. Two professors at the University of California, Cengiz Ozkan and Mihri Ozkan, are at the head of the research team of the project. The technology allows the use of high-frequency silicon nanoparticles for energy storage. This process can be a turning point in the release of lithium-ion batteries, which are currently the most popular in the world.
Anodes for lithium-ion batteries by Californian scientists are produced by applying three processing steps:
– glass waste undergoes the grinding process to a fine fraction (white powder);
– nanostructured silicon is created from silicon dioxide;
– silicon nanoparticles are covered with carbon.
Scientists conducted a series of laboratory tests. According to preliminary data, new lithium-ion batteries made from glass waste have a capacity larger than traditional batteries. The development of scientists at the University of California demonstrated in laboratory conditions excellent electrochemical characteristics.
According to the developers of lithium-ion batteries from glass waste, their invention can not only reduce the cost of electric cars, but also reduce the number of charges for small electronics with the same power.
Scientists at the University of Texas also succeeded in increasing the power of electric car batteries. There, a team of researchers led by John Gudenaf (known to the scientific community as a member of the group of inventors who created the lithium-ion energy storage) is developing a solid-state battery. According to scientists, their innovative battery will be able to accumulate and store 3 times more energy than traditional counterparts.
It should be noted that the successful completion of this project promises a significant increase in the course of electric transport. The charging time of electric vehicles is also noticeably reduced due to solid-state batteries (from a couple of hours to several minutes).
Solid-state energy storage instead of electrolyte in the composition have glass. This makes them safer and less expensive. The principle of operation of a traditional lithium-ion battery is to transfer lithium ions between the anode and the cathode. If you shorten the charging time, then this type of battery may explode.
Glass electrolyte makes it possible to charge such batteries much faster. The first battery with glass electrolyte, created by Texas scientists, is able to fully function at – 60 degrees Celsius. Attention should be paid to the fact that solid-state batteries allow using alkali metals to create an anode. This is not possible with traditional lithium-ion batteries.