2 verified briefings on Batteries. Each story includes a plain-English summary, why it matters, and the concrete action engineering teams should take.
While solid-state batteries are still years away, a new gel-based electrolyte is making current lithium-ion batteries safer and more efficient. This technology offers a practical, near-term upgrade for everything from phones to electric vehicles.
Researchers have developed a new, more environmentally friendly, and potentially cheaper method for extracting lithium, a critical component for batteries. The process, detailed in the journal Science, is being commercialized by a startup named Rock Zero, aiming to address future supply chain challenges for EVs and energy storage.