Researchers at RMIT University have found a way to replace the electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries with water, an innovation that could remove the fire risk from the devices entirely.
Could 'water batteries' replace lithium ion batteries?
The team replaced organic electrolytes with water, ensuring no fire or explosions, unlike lithium-ion batteries. Researchers add water as an electrolyte to a small battery. A team of researchers led by the RMIT University in Australia has unveiled 'water batteries,' which promise to offer a safer alternative to lithium-ion energy storage.
Water and electronics don't usually mix, but as it turns out, batteries could benefit from some H 2 O. By replacing the hazardous chemical electrolytes used in commercial batteries with water, scientists have developed a recyclable 'water battery' – and solved key issues with the emerging technology, which could be a safer and greener alternative.
Researchers add water as an electrolyte to a small battery. A team of researchers led by the RMIT University in Australia has unveiled 'water batteries,' which promise to offer a safer alternative to lithium-ion energy storage. The team eliminates the risk of fires or explosions in their batteries by employing water instead of organic electrolytes.
What are water batteries?
'Water batteries' are formally known as aqueous metal-ion batteries. These devices use metals such as magnesium or zinc, which are cheaper to assemble and less toxic than the materials currently used in other kinds of batteries.
Recently, they developed a magnesium-ion water battery boasting an energy density of 75 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh kg-1), up to 30 percent of the latest Tesla car batteries, according to researchers. “The next step is to increase the energy density of our water batteries by developing new nanomaterials as the electrode materials, said Ma.
"We recently made a magnesium-ion water battery that has an energy density of 75 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh kg-1) -- up to 30% that of the latest Tesla car batteries." This research is published in Small Structures. "The next step is to increase the energy density of our water batteries by developing new nano materials as the electrode materials."