Leeds U scientists refine lithium jelly batteries

University of Leeds scientists have created a lithium jelly battery that could both shrink notebooks, phones, and cars, but also make them safer. The new technique sheds liquid or solids in favor of mixing a polymer with a liquid electrolyte that fits between electrodes. As developed, it should have the high conductivity and longer battery lives of liquid lithium-ion packs but the safety of a polymer-only lithium pack, avoiding fire incidents.

The gel itself is closer to a film and is flexible, allowing for thinner devices than what's possible today. Many of these could cost just 10 percent to 20 percent to make than a standard lithium or lithium polymer battery and drop the total costs of a given device.

It's not apparent how soon the Leeds team expects its work to be commercialized. Most such research usually takes a few years to transform from research projects into end products.

The benefits could primarily translate to Apple. It remains one of the few computer and mobile device makers focused on thinness and battery life. Apple was one of the first to switch to lithium polymer batteries after it decided that it needed a safer battery to produce thinner notebooks. Lithium jelly could let it go as thin or thinner while significantly increasing the battery life of its systems just as it's focusing on all-day use.

Car manufacturers such as Tesla could also benefit. Jelly would let them increase the driving ranges of electrics and hybrids while reducing the risks of fires if the car's battery is damaged during an impact. [via the BBC]

By Electronista Staff