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New batteries have been created that are more efficient and safer
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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A new type of battery has been created at Leland Stanford, a private research university in California, that not only charges quickly, but also lasts longer than existing alkaline or lithium-ion batteries. In addition, the new battery is safe to use, for example, lithium-ion batteries tend to explode, and the fire can spread over quite large distances.
In the new battery, the researchers used aluminum as the anode (graphite was used as the cathode, and ionic liquid as the electrolyte).
Lithium-ion batteries can catch fire or explode due to a short circuit. The new type of battery (aluminum-ion) will continue to work even if the case is damaged (albeit for a short time), but it will not explode or catch fire.
The high safety of the batteries is a major benefit, but consumers are more interested in fast charging times, and the researchers say their development can be fully charged in just one minute.
In addition, the aluminum-ion battery is durable. Conventional lithium-ion batteries last for a thousand charge-recharge cycles, but according to the developers, the new type of battery can last for about 8 thousand cycles without losing capacity, which is why the device can be used to save renewable energy by local and central energy networks. One of the members of the research team noted that energy networks need long-lasting batteries that can quickly charge and release energy, and their new battery is exactly that device.
The specialists created an experimental model of the battery with a flexible body, which will allow it to be used for the production of flexible electronic devices (e-books, heaters, etc.).
The researchers also noted that the cost of the new battery will be lower in comparison with the batteries that are used today, since aluminum is cheaper than lithium. In addition, there is an environmental aspect, since the new batteries are a worthy alternative to disposable alkaline batteries, which are now widely used.
To date, developers have noted one significant drawback of the prototype battery – voltage. But researchers note that, despite the fact that aluminum-lithium is only capable of producing about two volts of electricity, this is much more than previous researchers have managed to achieve using aluminum. And experts are confident that they can achieve more.
One of the researchers working on the new battery noted that by increasing the cathode material, it is ultimately possible to achieve an increase in voltage and energy density, and otherwise the aluminum-lithium battery has everything you need - inexpensive electrodes, safety, fast charging, flexibility and a long service life.
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