Scientists at Nanyang Technology University (NTU) have developed batteries they say can be recharged up to 70 per cent in only two minutes and have a lifespan of 20 years.
In traditional lithium ion batteries, graphite used for the anode (negative pole). The potential game changer in NTU’s battery is an anode made from titanium dioxide.
Titanium dioxide, the naturally occurring oxide of titanium, is abundant and cheap. It is most commonly used provide whiteness and opacity to products such as paints; in cosmetic and skin care products, and is an ingredient in almost every sunblock.
The new batteries have potential in a wide range of applications from handheld devices, to solar power storage and electric vehicle batteries.
“Electric cars will be able to increase their range dramatically, with just five minutes of charging, which is on par with the time needed to pump petrol for current cars,” said Associate Professor Chen Xiaodong from NTU’s School of Materials Science and Engineering; the inventor of the battery.
“Equally important, we can now drastically cut down the toxic waste generated by disposed batteries, since our batteries last ten times longer than the current generation of lithium-ion batteries.”
To date, only small versions of the new batteries have been produced, but Professor Chen and his team are applying for a grant to construct a large-scale battery prototype.
Apparently making the new gel is quite easy and only involves mixing titanium dioxide and sodium hydroxide at a certain temperature. The team says battery manufacturers will find it simple to integrate the new gel into current production processes.
Rather than being a development that could take many years before it becomes generally available, Prof Chen expects the batteries will hit the market in the next two years – the technology has already been licensed by an unnamed company.
The co-inventor of the lithium-graphite anode, NTU professor Rachid Yazami, said Professor Chen’s invention is the “next big leap in battery technology”.
