Schedule a Call Back
MIT unveils organic battery for EV, reducing reliance on costly cobalt
Industry News- Jan 23,24
Cobalt, a crucial element in most lithium-ion batteries, poses considerable financial, environmental, and social challenges. Its extraction often involves hazardous conditions and environmental contamination.
MIT researchers have introduced a groundbreaking lithium-ion battery poised to revolutionise the Electric Vehicle (EV) industry. This innovative battery design aims to diminish the EV's dependence on scarce and expensive metals, particularly cobalt. The novel cathode, built from organic materials, provides a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for powering electric vehicles.
Cobalt, a crucial element in most lithium-ion batteries, poses considerable financial, environmental, and social challenges. Its extraction often involves hazardous conditions and environmental contamination. Additionally, cobalt's scarcity and concentration in politically unstable regions contribute to price volatility.
As the demand for EVs rises, the quest for alternatives to cobalt becomes increasingly urgent. MIT chemists, led by Mircea Dinca, the W.M. Keck Professor of Energy, have developed a battery material presented in a study published in ACS Central Science. This cathode, composed of layers of TAQ, an organic small molecule, boasts a structure similar to graphite, featuring quinones and amines that create robust hydrogen bonds. These bonds enhance the material's stability and insolubility, preventing dissolution into the electrolyte. This characteristic extends the battery's lifespan, allowing it to endure over 2,000 charge cycles with minimal degradation.
Remarkably, the performance of this organic-based battery matches that of traditional cobalt-containing batteries in terms of conductivity, storage capacity, and charging rates. In fact, the TAQ cathode exhibits faster charging and discharging capabilities, potentially accelerating the EV charging process.
To enhance the cathode's adherence to the battery's current collector and prevent cracking during charging, the researchers introduced fillers such as cellulose and rubber. These additives make up less than one-tenth of the cathode composite, ensuring they have minimal impact on the battery's storage capacity.
The primary materials needed for manufacturing this cathode—quinone and amine precursors—are readily available and produced as commodity chemicals. The estimated material cost for assembling these organic batteries is about one-third to one-half that of cobalt batteries, making them an attractive option for the EV market.
Lamborghini has already secured the patent for this technology, and the MIT team is actively exploring further advancements in battery materials, including potential replacements for lithium with more abundant elements like sodium or magnesium.
Source: India Today
Related Stories
Automation & Robotics
The 3D metal revolution
India is rapidly emerging as a frontrunner in the world of 3D metal printing, a technology that is reshaping the way industries approach manufacturing. From aerospace to automotive, healthcare to de..
Read moreMachine Tools & Accessories
Dormer Pramet is exploring 3D printing integration to boost products: Amit Raina
The Indian unit plays a crucial role in supporting Dormer Pramet's global business by serving as a strategic manufacturing hub.
Read moreAuto & Auto Components
Isuzu doubles production, rolls out 100,000 vehicles in two years
Isuzu’s journey in India began in 2016 with the establishment of its Sri City facility.
Read moreRelated Products
Forklift Battery
BATTERIES, UPS SYSTEMS & VOLTAGE STABILISERS
Aatous International is a manufacturer and solution provider of a wide range of forklift battery.
Wrist Type High Voltage Alarm
BATTERIES, UPS SYSTEMS & VOLTAGE STABILISERS
‘KUSAM-MECO’ has introduced a new wrist Type High Voltage Alarm Detector - Model KM-HVW-289 having a wide sensing range from 1kV-220 kV AC.
Servotech Power Systems files 2 patents for energy management technologies
BATTERIES, UPS SYSTEMS & VOLTAGE STABILISERS
Servotech Power Systems, a leading manufacturer of EV chargers and solar solutions, has announced that it has filed two patents for innovative energy management technologies in order to facilitate gri Read more
latest News
Subscribe to iNoW
For Industry News on WhatsApp, Give a Miss Call on: +91 84228 74016
