And they are much cheaper than lithium
Today, lithium-ion batteries are used in everything from mobile electronics to electric vehicles. However, the high cost of lithium and other battery problems lead researchers to look for alternatives. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are developing a new type of battery from readily available and inexpensive materials that will be safe.
The new version of the batteries uses sulfur and aluminum electrodes, and the electrolyte is molten chloraluminate salt. During the test, such a battery showed fast charging – sometimes in less than a minute. It also withstands hundreds of charge cycles, and the use of cheap components allows you to reduce the cost.
In addition, these batteries charge better at high temperatures – at 110°C, batteries charge 25 times faster than at 25°C. And they can work when heated up to 200 ° C. Moreover, the elevated temperature does not need to be maintained from the outside, a normal charge and discharge cycle is enough to keep the battery warm.
So far, this is only research, it is not reported when such batteries will appear in the form of a commercial product. However, if this happens, they will find application in electric vehicles.
