Glass batteries are a cutting-edge energy storage solution utilizing a solid electrolyte, often made of glass, to replace the liquid or gel electrolytes in conventional batteries.
Luckily for us, John B. Goodenough is not like most people. Back in 2016, a team of scientists led by the 94-years old professor published a paper on the glass battery, the newest development in solid-state batteries and a possible blueprint for the future of energy storage. Published: 08. 01. 2019
How does a glass battery produce energy?
The known rules of physics state that to derive energy, differing material must produce differing electrochemical reactions in the two opposing electrodes. That difference produces voltage, allowing energy to be stored. However, the glass battery has pure lithium or sodium on both sides.
Are more researchers buying into the theory behind glass batteries?
Goodenough's reputation has helped his team weather the storm of criticism and it seems that more and more researchers are buying into the theory behind glass batteries.
Why is a glass battery better than a liquid battery?
The glass battery marks a huge breakthrough in several areas: A solid electrolyte is much safer than a liquid one as it prevents the growth of dendrites, the main cause of lithium-ion battery fires, the greatest hazard posed by current Li-ion batteries.
Do glass batteries use cobalt?
However, glass batteries do not use any cobalt in their design, removing this bottleneck to global battery production. The life of Li-ion batteries in most consumer products as being between 3,000 and 5,000 discharge/charge cycles. Early tests of the glass battery suggest it is capable of at least 12,000 charge-discharge cycles.
What will glass and glass-ceramic electrolytes do in the future?
In the future, glass and glass-ceramic electrolytes will play a key role in advancing energy conversion and storage technologies. The materials for next-generation high-capacity ASSIBs and glass-ceramics cathode/solid electrolyte materials are in the development stage. The recent progress in the development of these materials is relatively short.