Just Say No to *Cobalt. Silver Works Better
Solar, EVs, Phones, Laptops, Renewables depend on battery life. A silver based solid state battery could reduce cobalt mining by kids and be a better battery.
Cobalt is a critical component of the lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles. It is used in the cathode, which is the battery's positive electrode. Cobalt helps to improve the battery's energy density, which means that it can store more energy in a smaller space. This is important for electric vehicles, as it gives them a more extended driving range.
Cobalt also helps extend the battery's lifespan and improve its performance at low temperatures.
Most modern electric vehicles use lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt-oxide (NMC) batteries containing 10-20% cobalt.
These batteries offer a good energy density, lifespan, and cost balance.
However, cobalt is a relatively rare and expensive metal. It is also mined in some countries with poor human rights records, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In 1910, an estimated 2 million American children younger than 15 worked in factories and mines for low wages and long shifts.
Photographs by Lewis Hine of New York revealed the depraved exploitation of children, some as young as 8 years of age, in fields and in mines.
Child labor was finally outlawed in the USA in 1938, but it is still common practice in the Republic of Congo, (which is out of sight for US consumers and corporate decision-makers.)
Researchers at University of California (San Diego) developed a Silver based Solid State Battery showing superior qualities over batteries that depend on cobalt
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Researchers:Â Darren H. S. Tan, Zhimin Liu, Zhiwei Peng, and Bing Wang from the Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California, San Diego.
Publication: The study was published in the journal Science on March 8, 2022.
Battery design: The battery uses a silver-based solid electrolyte and a silicon anode. The electrolyte is made of a silver-silver iodide (Ag-AgI) composite with high ionic conductivity and good chemical stability. The silicon anode has a high theoretical capacity, meaning it can store a lot more energy.
Performance: The battery has a specific energy density of 400 Wh/kg, comparable to traditional lithium-ion batteries' energy density. The battery also has a high power density, so it can be charged and discharged quickly.
Comparison to lithium-ion batteries: The new battery has several advantages over lithium-ion batteries. It is more stable, making it less likely to catch fire or explode. It is also more efficient, storing more energy and lasting longer.
Potential applications: The new battery could be used in various applications, including electric vehicles, portable electronics, and grid-scale energy storage.
The development of this new solid-state battery is a significant breakthrough in battery technology. It could lead to the development of safer, more efficient, and longer-lasting batteries that could revolutionize how we power our devices and vehicles.
Here are some additional details about the battery:
The battery has a cycle life of 500 cycles with 80% capacity retention at room temperature.
The battery can be charged to 80% in 15 minutes.
The battery is non-flammable and has a wide operating temperature range.
The researchers are currently working to improve the battery's performance and reduce its cost. The battery could be commercially available within the next few years.
*Cobalt - this editorial has nothing against the metal cobalt just the cobalt sourced from areas that use child labor.
