Recently, a research team from IBM Research released information on new energy storage research, which will help accelerate the transition to renewable energy and provide new solutions for electric vehicles and stationary battery supply. According to calculations, the efficiency of new energy storage methods is over 90%.
Cobalt-free is a key focus in new energy storage technology.
An IBM announcement on new energy storage indicates that they hope to address issues in the energy storage supply chain by tackling the problems associated with heavy metals and other materials commonly found in current lithium-ion batteries.
The following is IBM's research on this topic:
Battery materials, including heavy metals such as nickel and cobalt, pose a threat to the environment and human health. Cobalt, in particular, a mineral common in Central Africa, has been the subject of controversy due to negligence and exploitation during its mining. Just days ago, international human rights organizations filed charges against Apple, Alphabet, Dell, Microsoft, and TSLA, accusing them of using child labor and other forms of abuse in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
IBM advocates for cobalt-free batteries, so how does its energy storage solution differ?
First of all, it contains neither cobalt nor nickel.
This method utilizes three new and different patented materials. The IBM research team also discovered a new battery chemistry that does not use heavy metals or other substances related to heavy metal sources and can be extracted from seawater—a technology that is less invasive than current material mining methods.
IBM is confident in the future of their envisioned battery, believing that its performance and the materials used are equally superior. In tests, it outperformed lithium-ion batteries in many aspects, including lower cost, faster charging time, higher power, and higher energy density.
Now let's talk about dendrites, which are fuzzy nanostructures that form over a long period in lithium batteries. Dendrite formation reduces battery efficiency, so researchers have devised various methods to eliminate them. In the battery method proposed by IBM, the combination of a cobalt-free and nickel-free cathode and electrolyte inhibits dendrite growth. Besides solving the efficiency problem, this new type of battery also reduces its flammability.
The following factors of the new battery are also worth noting:
Charging time: If configured for high power, the battery can reach 80% charge in less than 5 minutes.
High power density: The new battery is designed to exceed 10,000 W/L, surpassing even the most powerful lithium batteries.
High energy density: Its energy density exceeds 800Wh/L, which IBM describes as comparable to the most advanced lithium batteries.
Lifecycle: IBM says the new battery can be designed for a long lifecycle, making it a viable option for smart grids and new energy infrastructure, where lifespan and stability are key.
In addition to achieving zero emissions, battery storage is also key to helping develop renewable energy resources. The U.S. Department of Energy is also researching a new wave of battery storage technologies in order to achieve sustainable development and better returns.
