After decades, Lithium Nickel Oxide (LiNiO2) battery problems may have been solved. Degradation on repeated recharging has meant that these batteries, which offer higher energy density, and could replace expensive and hard-to-source cobalt, have never made it to commercialisation.
Researchers at the University of Texas may have a solution.
Much of your life is powered by lithium ions — stored electricity flowing from your rechargeable batteries, running your world’s devices.
The first commercial lithium-ion battery was launched in 1991, with typically included metals such as cobalt, manganese or iron.
Research on other variants has included lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2), which offers higher energy density, and could replace expensive and hard-to-source cobalt. But commercialisation has lagged because of degradation after repeated charging, says Dr. Kyeongjae Cho, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at University of Texas at Dallas (UTD).
Until now.
UTD researchers working in the university’s BEACONS (Batteries and Energy to Advance Commercialisation and National Security) Initiative have worked it out.
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