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A spoonful of sugar is the key to a brighter climate | ticker VIEWS
Scientists discover a spoonful of sugar will open the path to longer-lasting lithium-sulfur batteries
Simply by adding sugar, researchers from the Monash Energy Institute have created a more sustainable and longer-lasting rival to lithium-ion batteries. This is essential for aviation, submarines, and most importantly electric vehicles.
Sugar rush batteries
As reported in Nature Communications, a group of scientists from the Monash Energy Institute, assisted by CSIRO, discover that using glucose-based additives on the positive electrode can stabilise lithium-sulfur battery technology.
It is being referred to as the next generation of batteries because the increase in performance has the potential to give an electric vehicle to 1000km range, on a single charge.
“In less than a decade, this technology could lead to vehicles including electric buses and trucks that can travel from Melbourne to Sydney without recharging. It could also enable innovation in delivery and agricultural drones where lightweight is paramount,”
Lead author Professor Mainak Majumder
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Associate Director of the Monash Energy Institute.
The Monash Energy team: Mahdokht Shaibani, Mainak Majumder, Matthew Hill, Yingyi Huang. Credit: Monash Energy Institute
These Lithium-sulfur batteries have the potential to store two to five times more energy than lithium-ion batteries. The problem with this solution has been that the electrodes deteriorated rapidly, and the batteries broke down.
Now, by incorporating sugar into the architecture of the electrode, they have prevented the deterioration. The test-cell prototypes constructed by the team are showing to hold far more capacity than lithium-ion batteries.
“While many of the challenges on the cathode side of the battery has been solved by our team, there is still need for further innovation into the protection of the lithium metal anode to enable large-scale uptake of this promising technology — innovations that may be right around the corner.”
Dr. Mahdokht Shaibani, Monash researcher
Shifting to EV’s
There is an immense amount of pressure on countries right around the world to tackle climate change. In the lead-up to COP26 in Glasgow, the pressure is on for world leaders to step up.
Most leading nations are already making the shift to electric vehicles. Sustainable and efficient batteries will be essential for the transition to electric vehicles.
“In order to make the transition to zero-carbon, and make sure we keep our global warming to 1.5 degrees, we need to electrify everything. Batteries plan an incredibly important part.”
Scott Hamilton, Ticker Climate co-host & Energy Expert
Expected release
The scientific breakthrough is complete but it’s unclear how long the commercialisation of the batteries will take.
“We have done exciting science, but from research and development to commercial application is a long journey, that requires significant capital.”
Lead author Professor Mainak Majumder
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Associate Director of the Monash Energy Institute.
The Commonwealth Government supports the Lithium-sulfur Battery Research Program at Monash University, through the Australian Research Council and the Department of Industry, Innovation, and Science.
In addition, Cleanfuture Energy also supports the work and Enserv Australia plans to develop and manufacture the batteries in Australia.
“We would be looking to use the technology to enter the growing market for electric vehicles and electronic devices,”
“We plan to make the first lithium-sulfur batteries in Australia using Australian lithium within about five years.”
Mark Gustowski, Managing Director of Enserv Australia.