TU Delft researchers developed an alternative to the lithium battery. The alternative is based on sodium. This is “an important step in the energy transition.”
A sodium battery is, in fact, a battery based on kitchen salt. The earth has a lot more to give from this raw material than from lithium and cobalt. Almost all batteries currently sold consist of the latter two raw materials. However, lithium and cobalt are scarce raw materials, so there is interest in the research community in finding an alternative.
‘Gift’
There are several advantages to the sodium battery, which made the research interesting to researchers. For example, the battery charges quickly and can store much energy. The results of the research were recently published in the scientific journal Nature Sustainability.
According to research leader Marnix Wagemaker, a final advantage was not anticipated and came as a “gift”. This gift holds that the battery also lasts longer. We are talking about a significant 30 to 40 percent increase in life. Wagemaker discussed the research in a Dutch radio show, NOS Radio 1 Journaal.
Wagemaker had not anticipated this pleasant surprise. After all, the total lifespan of a battery is limited, and sodium would naturally have a shorter lifespan than the batteries sold today. What transpired is that the material gradually changes its structure during charging and discharging, making the battery last longer.
Not sold tomorrow
Research on the sodium battery is important to develop a replacement for the lithium battery in the future. Anyway, Wagemaker already indicates that access to lithium and cobalt is very limited in Europe. “That’s why it’s very important to develop batteries we can get easily,” he said.
However, more research will be needed on the sodium battery to start manufacturing this alternative battery effectively. Then, there is also the issue of scaling up production that will take time to address.
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