Supercharger Battery

Researchers used large metal ions to make rechargeable batteries charge faster.

17:43 20 January 2017

In a new research published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers have revealed a breakthrough that can aid in the development of lighter, cheaper and safer batteries. They found that if they place positively charged potassium ions inside batteries, they can develop batteries that charge faster.

 

Professor Saiful Islam, co-author of the study and professor at the University of Bath’s Department of Chemistry, said: 'Understanding these processes is important for the future design and development of battery materials, and could lead to faster charging batteries that will benefit consumers and industry.

 

'Developing new materials holds the key to lighter, cheaper and safer batteries, including for electric vehicles which will help cut carbon emissions.' 

 

Professor Islam and other researchers involved in the study used a combination of structural experiments and computer simulations to understand the role that charged potassium ions plays in improving battery performance.

 

Apart from Professor Islam and team’s breakthrough, other amazing developments in battery-related technology include the discovery of a new method that researchers at the University of Central Florida say could charge everything from phones to cars. The new method could eventually revolutionise technology as varied as mobile phones and electric vehicles.