The lithium-air batteries found in electric cars haven’t quite reached their full potential yet. They degrade rather quickly and waste a lot of energy input as heat, but scientists may have found a better way to power clean energy vehicles. Scientists have engineered a lithium-oxygen battery that offers the light-weight of a lithium-air battery without its drawbacks. Instead of pulling in oxygen from the air to trigger a chemical reaction, like a lithium-air battery would, this new design relies on nanoscale particles that hold both lithium and oxygen, keeping the oxygen inside as it changes states. This allows the battery to use five times less energy, which prevents the battery from undergoing the rapid changes that lead to a shorter lifespan. Best of all, it doesn’t require any expensive materials to make. A prototype of the battery is set to be built this year.
New electric car battery delivers lots of power with little weight
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