Researchers Unveil a Faster, Cheaper Battery Chemistry
A prototype cell built from abundant materials charges quickly and holds up over thousands of cycles, its developers say.
Researchers have unveiled a prototype battery chemistry built largely from abundant, low-cost materials that they say charges quickly and endures thousands of cycles with little loss. If it scales, the design could ease the world’s reliance on scarcer minerals used in today’s cells.
The team reported that laboratory samples retained most of their capacity after extensive testing, a durability that has long eluded cheaper chemistries.
From lab to grid
The immediate target is not electric cars but stationary storage, where weight matters less and cost matters more. Grid operators need cheap batteries to bank solar and wind power for calm, cloudy days.
Independent experts welcomed the results but urged patience, noting that many promising cells never survive the leap from bench to factory.
