Sumitomo molten-salt battery could double lith-ion lifespan
updated 03:05 pm EST, Fri March 4, 2011
Sumitomo battery 90 percent cheaper than Li-Ion
Japan's Sumitomo Electric Industries has developed a molten-salt battery that is said to be 90 percent cheaper to build than lithium-ion batteries. While the concept isn't groundbreaking, the sodium in their prototype has a 57 degree Celsius melting point to keep the electrolyte in a liquid state, compared to over 300 degrees in existing batteries. What's more, the prototypes are said to offer twice the energy density of a modern lithium ion battery.
Sumitomo said the battery could cost as little as $240 per kilowatt-hour, or 10 percent that of a Japanese-made lithium-ion battery. A patent has been applied for, and a planned commercial launch is due for sometime around 2015.
The battery would be aimed at use in homes and cars. It could lead to much longer notebook lifespans as well as better solar energy systems that could build up a charge and use it during the night. [via CrunchGear]
