Lithium batteries are very prone to runaway explosions when short-circuited or overheated. This is why we encourage users to use original batteries, chargers, and data cables to prevent lithium batteries from short-circuiting.
Smartphones have made significant strides in recent years, with more powerful processors, graphics cards, ultra-high resolution, and even flexible screens being truly impressive. However, breakthroughs in battery technology have been slow, and we still have to accept battery life of only about a day. While we have been paying close attention to the development of new battery materials, lithium-ion battery technology is actually the most likely to achieve a breakthrough in the near future. Let's take a look at the development of next-generation battery technology.
What is a lithium battery?
Lithium-ion batteries use lithium metal or lithium alloy as the negative electrode material and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution. Compared to the earlier nickel-metal hydride batteries, they have larger capacity, better stability, and repeated charge-discharge characteristics. After years of development, they have become quite mature, and almost all consumer-grade lithium-ion batteries are currently made with graphite anodes. As for their disadvantages, we have learned from frequent news reports of fires and explosions that lithium-ion batteries are very prone to runaway explosions in the event of a short circuit or overheating. This is why we advocate that users use original batteries, chargers, and data cables to prevent lithium-ion batteries from short-circuiting.
Future forms of improvement
The improvement of lithium batteries takes many forms, but the direction is basically set on better safety, charging speed, flexible form factor and performance. Let’s take a look at some new technologies that are expected to make breakthrough progress.
1. Non-flammable components
First and foremost, the safety of lithium batteries is a top priority. Scientists have discovered that an organic solvent called PFPE is more stable, reducing the impact of crystallization on electrodes, thus improving safety and extending battery life. While this technology still requires some testing, non-flammable lithium batteries are expected to be available on the market soon.
2. Faster charging speed
A research team at Nangyang University of Science and Technology has developed a new type of lithium battery that differs from other technologies in its approach. Instead of increasing capacity, it focuses on improving charging time. It can quickly charge to 70% in just two minutes and has been capable of over 10,000 charge cycles. This technology uses titanium dioxide instead of graphite as the anode material, and Qualcomm has also implemented improved control chips to achieve more stable charging. The key advantages of this technology are its low cost, making it ideal for mobile products and the automotive electronics industry.
3. Lithium anode
Scientists at Stanford University recently published a paper discovering that ultrathin carbon clusters can allow lithium metal to be used as an anode, increasing energy efficiency by 10 times compared to current graphite anodes. However, its efficiency is currently only 96%, and it will take time before it enters the mass consumer electronics market.
4. Flexible lithium batteries
We all eagerly anticipate the emergence of fully flexible electronic devices, but even with significant progress in flexible screens, batteries remain a challenge. LG recently showcased a fully rollable OLED screen, with bendable screen, circuitry, and battery, making it the closest we've seen to flexible electronic devices straight out of science fiction movies.
In addition, a Chinese company recently announced that it has begun producing flexible ceramic polymer lithium batteries, which possess extremely safe characteristics. Although the battery capacity may not be ideal, it is very suitable for wearable devices and is expected to be launched on the market this year.
5. Lithium-sulfur and lithium-air batteries
Two other promising new types of lithium batteries are lithium-sulfur and lithium-air batteries. The former eliminates the need for highly volatile solvents, significantly reducing the risk of fire, even under significant impact; the latter theoretically boasts higher energy density, making it suitable for electric vehicles and other products, but faces the challenge of developing novel electrodes and electrolytes. Currently, lithium-sulfur batteries offer advantages such as high capacity, low cost, and high safety, and are highly likely to become the mainstream first.
6. Supercapacitor
Supercapacitors are a battery technology different from traditional lithium-ion batteries, enabling high capacity and ultra-fast charging. However, a major obstacle is that capacitors typically cannot store energy. Tsinghua University in my country, the University of Texas in the United States, and the National University of Singapore are all developing supercapacitors using different storage materials, including carbon nanofluids and graphene. However, these technologies still have drawbacks such as bulkiness and high energy storage stability, making it difficult for them to become widespread in the consumer market in the short term.
7. Magnesium batteries
Magnesium is also a promising metallic element for battery applications. Magnesium ions can carry twice the energy of lithium ions, while offering shorter charging times and stable performance. Magnesium batteries have already achieved commercial application several years ago, so they are expected to appear in the consumer market more quickly than other new battery materials.
Summarize
All of these new battery technologies are still in the research and development stage, but it is certain that improved technologies based on lithium batteries are more likely to hit the market first. We can expect to use lithium batteries that charge faster, are more durable, and are safer within a few years. Supercapacitors, magnesium batteries, and other completely different battery types will require more time to develop, but once successful, they will usher in the next revolution in electronic devices.
