Eco Factor: Newly developed process to aid the development of lightweight rechargeable lithium-air batteries.
Lithium-air batteries have long been in concept as a system that can offer up to three times the energy density of conventional Li-ion counterparts. However, the lack of understanding of what kinds of electrode materials could promote the electrochemical reactions that take place in these batteries didn’t help their development.
Now researchers at MIT have made a breakthrough that could aid the development of lightweight lithium-air or lithium-oxygen batteries. The report points that electrode with gold or platinum as a catalyst show a much higher level of activity and higher efficiency than conventional carbon electrodes. This new work has paved the way for future research that can lead to better electrode materials.
The team does admit that there are still a number of issues that need to be addressed before the batteries become a commercial product. The researchers opine that the first applications of the batteries will be in portable electronic devices such as computers and cellphones, with high-value items to be added to the list later.
Via: Gizmag
