Researchers from Purdue University have found a way to produce efficient sodium-ion batteries that are as functional and cheaper than its lithium counterpart.
Batteries that are currently in the market are all made up of lithium that is extremely rare and can only be mined in the mountains of South America. However, as demand increases, the source of lithium can be depleted, causing the battery production around the world to stagnate.
For years, scientists have been making efforts to turn sodium-ion batteries, using salts of sodium that are not only cheap but also abundant, to be as efficient as lithium batteries. However, sodium is extremely delicate; it immediately combusts when it is exposed to water.
Recent studies found a way to prevent sodium-ion batteries not combust from exploding. Scientists, however, are yet to figure out how to control sodium ion from "getting lost" after charging for the first few times. Until now.
Purdue University has announced a groundbreaking discovery that could change the future of batteries. In a study published in the Journal of Power Sources, they revealed a sodium powder version that does not combust and holds a charge efficiently.
"Adding fabricated sodium powder during electrode processing requires only slight modifications to the battery production process," stated Vilas Pol, Purdue University associate professor of chemical engineering. "This is one potential way to progress sodium-ion battery technology to the industry."
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