KAIST's breakthrough paves the way for next-gen sodium-ion batteries

Sodium-ion batteries have been around for years but have only recently started to gain attention. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, these batteries use more abundantly available materials, leading to lower production costs. Furthermore, they are considerably safer and capable of discharging to 0 volts without the risk of thermal discharge due to short circuits.

Previously, the long charging times and limited capacity of sodium-ion batteries meant they were less popular than lithium-ion ones. However, this could soon change.

The latest generation of sodium-ion batteries, developed by KAIST researchers, features enhancements in the cathode and anode construction. These modifications have resulted in the creation of a high-power sodium-ion hybrid energy storage (SIHES) system. More information on this development is available on the ScienceDirect website.

Tests indicate that these new batteries deliver significantly more power than current lithium-ion batteries. Impressively, they can also be charged in minutes or even seconds. Another benefit is their increased lifespan, with the developers noting a 100% coulombic efficiency. This means the battery's energy output equals the energy input during charging.

This breakthrough could transform the consumer electronics market, including the latest smartphones, and the automotive industry, particularly electric vehicles, which currently face long charging times. Whether this technology will be commercialized and enter mass production remains to be seen, with answers expected in the next few years.