Batteries?are one of the most crucial pieces of tech in today's world. Our phones, gadgets, and even cars are powered by Lithium-Ion batteries.
But Lithium-Ion battery tech has its own drawbacks -- price being one of them, and their tendency to overheat while charging rapidly. However, a research team at IIT Madras has brought in a new contender to the arena.
IIT Madras
A research team at IIT Madras has officially developed the world's first 'iron-ion' battery. The battery is made using an anode made from low-carbon steel along with a cathode of vanadium pentoxide that will facilitate the movement of the iron ion thanks to its larger gap. Along with this, the iron-ion battery is also equipped with an electrolyte made using iron chlorate.?
When you put this side-by-side with a conventional lithium-ion battery, not only is it cheaper to manufacture, (since iron isn't as expensive as other metals, and easily available than lithium) but it also consists of better storage capacity while being more stable.?
Iron-ion batteries are also safer than lithium-ion batteries as they don't form dendrites during the charging process and therefore prevents short-circuiting of the batteries.
Moreover, manufacturing lithium-ion batteries can only be done in a controlled environment, due to its highly sensitive and volatile nature. Iron-ion batteries require nothing of that sort and can be manufactured at ambient environments.
Reuters
Another cool thing about this made-in India batteries?is the power retention after multiple charge cycles. Researchers tested the performance of iron ions battery for 150 cycles (charging and discharging) where it revealed decent stability numbers with 54 percent capacity retention at the end of 50 cycles.
While the battery is still in its early stages, with some more research they should be able to get the performance numbers close to if not more than what we're getting from lithium-ion batteries these days.?