Chinese scientists at Fudan University have developed a rechargeable calcium-based battery, offering a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to lithium-ion technology.
The new batteries can withstand 700 complete charge and discharge cycles at room temperature, offering a blend of safety and consistent performance not previously achieved with calcium-based systems.
The inherent abundance of calcium highlights the significance of this research.
This metal is about 2,700 times more plentiful in the Earth’s crust compared to lithium, setting a promising stage for future energy applications.
Moreover, the utilization of carbon-based cathode materials sidesteps the need for expensive metals like nickel, cobalt, and manganese typically found in lithium-ion batteries, translating to potentially lower production costs.
The research details were shared in the prestigious journal, Nature.
The Fudan team’s breakthrough solved a major issue with calcium anodes, whose high electrochemical activity often led to electrolyte breakdown, reducing battery performance.
Fudan researchers’ Calcium-oxygen (Ca-O2) batteries offer the highest energy density among calcium-based batteries by using atmospheric oxygen as fuel instead of stored materials.
However, achieving stable room-temperature operations has been particularly challenging in the past.
The innovation leverages a newly developed liquid electrolyte that meets rigorous requirements for the battery electrodes without initiating detrimental calcium reactions, which could otherwise impair battery capacity.
Despite the new battery’s impressive cycle life, there remains a substantial gap when compared to commercial lithium-ion batteries, which can manage up to 3,000 cycles.
Yet, the potential applications are enticing.
The researchers successfully integrated these calcium-oxygen batteries into flexible fibers, thereby enabling the creation of textile batteries.
These could power electronic devices such as smartphones within next-gen wearable technology.
Given the looming lithium shortage predicted by global organizations like the International Energy Agency, this breakthrough couldn’t be more timely.
The innovation marks a major advancement in sustainable battery technology, positioning calcium not only as a viable, abundant resource but also as a contender for the future of energy storage in portable and wearable electronics.
As research progresses, the potential for calcium batteries to be scaled and improved for broader consumer use looks increasingly promising.