Cobalt-Free EV Battery By IBM Employs Materials From Seawater

EVs will play an essential role in lowering emissions of greenhouse gas, but they are not yet an ideal solution. Nowadays, most EVs operate on Li-ion batteries created with heavy metals such as cobalt, of which there are less than perfect mining conditions and a restricted supply. The IBM Research Battery Lab might have a fixture: a new battery developed without heavy metals. It is created, rather, with substances that can be taken from seawater.

As per IBM, the latest design can surpass present Li-ion batteries in charging time (no more than 5 Minutes to get an 80% charge), cost, energy efficiency, and power density. The battery is also less combustible, and it can be employed in smart energy grids and aircraft, along with electric trucks and cars.

The battery employs 3 proprietary, new substances, comprising a liquid electrolyte and a nickel- and cobalt-free cathode substance. The unique mixture is capable of suppressing lithium metal dendrites at the time of charging, which reduces the odds that the battery will burst into flames.

To shift the new battery further than the IBM Research Battery Lab, the group has joined hands with battery electrolyte supplier Central Glass, Mercedes-Benz, and battery maker Sidus. While the team operates out how to design the battery, IBM Research will employ AI to additionally enhance battery performance and look out for even higher performing, safer materials.

On a related note, earlier this month Mary Barra (GM CEO) declared that the firm might be joining hands with LG Chem to provide battery cells for the firm’s forthcoming EVs comprising EV trucks. In general, the firm is hoping to have 20 EVs by 2023 for sale. The partnership will break ground in the Lordstown, Ohio area on a facility in 2020 to create the battery cells.