Aluminum Batteries Outlive Lithium-Ion with a Pinch of Salt
Researchers have developed a new aluminum-ion battery that outperforms lithium-ion batteries in lifespan, safety, and recyclability, retaining 99% capacity after 10,000 cycles, but needs better energy density for commercialization.
Read original article
Researchers from the Beijing Institute of Technology and the University of Science and Technology Beijing have developed a new aluminum-ion (Al-ion) battery that outperforms traditional lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in several key areas. The innovative design incorporates a solid-state electrolyte created by adding aluminum fluoride salt to a liquid electrolyte, which enhances conductivity and stability while preventing leakage. This new battery can retain 99% of its capacity after 10,000 charge/discharge cycles, significantly surpassing the 80% retention seen in Li-ion batteries after 300 to 500 cycles. Additionally, the Al-ion battery is safer, as it does not leak and maintains performance even when punctured or exposed to high temperatures. The recyclability of the materials used is also improved, with up to 80% of the aluminum fluoride salt recoverable. This advancement could lead to lower costs and longer-lasting batteries, which are crucial for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. However, researchers note that improvements in energy density are still needed before commercial application can be realized.
- Aluminum-ion batteries show longer life and better safety compared to lithium-ion batteries.
- The new design retains 99% capacity after 10,000 cycles, while Li-ion batteries typically retain 80% after 300-500 cycles.
- The solid-state electrolyte prevents leakage and maintains performance under extreme conditions.
- The materials used in the Al-ion battery are more recyclable than those in traditional batteries.
- Further improvements in energy density are required for commercial viability.
Related
First anode-free sodium solid-state battery
The University of Chicago's Laboratory for Energy Storage and Conversion led by Prof. Shirley Meng developed the first anode-free sodium solid-state battery. This innovation aims for affordable, eco-friendly electric vehicle and grid storage batteries.
Samsung's New EV Battery Tech: 600-Mile Ranges, and 9-Minute Charges?
Solid state batteries are a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, offering increased range, faster charging, and enhanced safety, with commercial applications expected by the late 2020s.
Solid-State Battery
Solid-state batteries offer higher energy density and safety than lithium-ion batteries, but face challenges like cost and durability. Major companies are developing prototypes for integration into electric vehicles by the late 2020s.
Lower-cost sodium-ion batteries are finally having their moment
Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries, with CATL's new model set for mass production in 2027, supported by U.S. national laboratories' investment.
Eco-friendly aluminum battery lasts 10k cycles with minimal loss
Researchers have developed an eco-friendly aluminum-ion battery for large-scale energy storage, lasting 10,000 cycles with minimal capacity loss. It features recyclable materials but needs improvements in energy density for commercialization.
- Concerns about the accuracy of the article's claims regarding lithium-ion battery lifespan, with some commenters noting that modern batteries can last much longer than stated.
- Discussion on the importance of energy density for the commercialization of aluminum-ion batteries, with several commenters emphasizing that this is a critical factor.
- Comparisons to other battery technologies, such as nickel-iron and lithium iron phosphate (LFP), which are noted for their longevity and recycling potential.
- Speculation on the potential applications of aluminum-ion batteries, particularly in grid storage and other non-automotive uses.
- General enthusiasm for advancements in battery technology, despite the acknowledgment that these new developments may take time to reach the market.
13 comments> a typical Li-ion battery retains only 80 percent of its charge capacity after 300 to 500 cycles
That's off by 10x at least. Typical LFP batteries that are widely used now have thousands of cycles. Over 5K in some cases. Some of the solid state batteries that are coming to production in the next few years might do better. 300 to 500 is more typical of some older chemistries. Even NMC batteries used in e.g. Teslas have cycle life spans of at least 1500 or so cycles.
And for reference, if you charge and full de-charge your car that would be 1 cycle. A decade is only 3653 or so cycles (there might be 2 or 3 leap years). Most car vehicle owners don't charge nearly as often or so completely. A typical Tesla that is partially charged maybe once a week or so is not going to need a battery replacement until the 2040s or so.
Anyway, the article carefully avoids talking about energy density. Which is of course the key thing here. Together with other things like charging speeds. Operational temperatures, etc. These all matter.
This is a university study, not a plan to get this to production. Promising and interesting but probably well over a decade away from any serious applications. By that time we might have all sorts of other battery tech that is sitting a bit higher on the technological readiness scale on the market.
"A Recyclable Inert Inorganic Framework Assisted Solid-State Electrolyte for Long-Life Aluminum Ion Batteries", https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acscentsci.4c01615 (Open Access)
Until we can surpass current lithium batteries in energy density, cycle stability, and safety all at once, iron-nickel is more than good enough to be used in any application where current lithium tech struggles, and will outlive you along with being infinitely recyclable and basically as safe as any battery ever could be.
There it is. No mention of how much. Though they do tell you how much longer it lasts! So apparently we aren't that averse to numbers.
Possible also easier recycling - especially locally close to the battery.
Even compared to LFP (much higher cycle longevity than the article quotes) these sound like they retain energy capacity much better
Related
First anode-free sodium solid-state battery
The University of Chicago's Laboratory for Energy Storage and Conversion led by Prof. Shirley Meng developed the first anode-free sodium solid-state battery. This innovation aims for affordable, eco-friendly electric vehicle and grid storage batteries.
Samsung's New EV Battery Tech: 600-Mile Ranges, and 9-Minute Charges?
Solid state batteries are a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, offering increased range, faster charging, and enhanced safety, with commercial applications expected by the late 2020s.
Solid-State Battery
Solid-state batteries offer higher energy density and safety than lithium-ion batteries, but face challenges like cost and durability. Major companies are developing prototypes for integration into electric vehicles by the late 2020s.
Lower-cost sodium-ion batteries are finally having their moment
Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries, with CATL's new model set for mass production in 2027, supported by U.S. national laboratories' investment.
Eco-friendly aluminum battery lasts 10k cycles with minimal loss
Researchers have developed an eco-friendly aluminum-ion battery for large-scale energy storage, lasting 10,000 cycles with minimal capacity loss. It features recyclable materials but needs improvements in energy density for commercialization.