Dousing Flames with Water: China's Leap in Battery Technology

Is the era of fiery gadgets nearing its cool-down with China’s new water-based battery technology?

In a groundbreaking move, Chinese researchers have significantly advanced battery technology by developing a water-based battery that doubles the energy capacity compared to traditional lithium cells and enhances safety by eliminating the risk of flammability. This innovation could revolutionize industries reliant on energy storage, particularly electric vehicles, by offering a safer, more efficient alternative.

The new aqueous batteries leverage a water solvent for electrolytes, which inherently reduces the risk of fires associated with lithium-ion batteries. The researchers achieved an impressive energy density of 1200 Wh/L, a substantial increase over the 700 Wh/L provided by their lithium counterparts. This is achieved through a multi-electron transfer cathode utilizing bromine and iodine, enhancing both the energy capacity and safety profile of these batteries.

As the world moves towards more sustainable and safer energy solutions, this development prompts a crucial question: Will the advent of high-density aqueous batteries finally tilt the global energy storage market towards more environmentally friendly and inherently safer technologies?

Read the full article on Interesting Engineering.

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