In March 2023, there was news of the successful development of a new battery.
It is also known as an ‘oxygen ion battery’.
In this article, we explain such latest battery, the oxygen ion battery, in simple terms.
Although this battery is still in the research phase and is not yet ready for practical use, they hold great promise for the future, so let’s take a look at them in detail.
Reference：New invention: The oxygen-ion battery | TU Wien
Contents
Oxygen ion battery successfully developed in 2023.
Reference: New invention: The oxygen-ion battery | TU Wien
The Vienna University of Technology announced the successful development of an oxygen ion battery in March 2023.
This battery uses ceramics and does not use rare elements, which makes it a promising alternative to existing, expensive batteries.
However, as this battery has still a long way from practical use, we will provide information on the stage it is at now.
Mechanism of an oxygen ion battery
Ceramic materials being studied by the Vienna University of Technology can absorb and release divalent oxygen ions.
So an electric current is generated when moving from one ceramic material to another ceramic material.
The mechanism is similar to a lithium ion battery, with oxygen ions carrying electrons instead of lithium ions.
Three advantages of oxygen ion battery
The advantages of oxygen ion battery that can be expected at this stage, based on currently known characteristics, are presented here.
1.Expected to have a long life span.
As discussed earlier, in oxygen ion battery, the oxygen ions carry the electrons.
With lithium-ion battery, if there is not enough lithium, the battery capacity may decrease and eventually become unusable.
However, even if there is a shortage of oxygen, the oxygen ion battery can continue to be used because it can be replenished from the air.
2.comparatively safe
The mechanism is similar to that of lithium-ion battery, but another advantage is that the risk of ignition accidents is relatively low because ceramics is a non-combustible material.
The larger the equipment, the greater the damage in the event of ignition.
On the face of it, oxygen ion battery can be used as a huge battery and still be safe.
3.environmentally friendly
The battery is sustainable and environmentally friendly, as no rare elements are used in the materials.
We would expect prices to be lower, but cost reductions are unlikely due to the use of expensive materials in the electrolyte.
Two disadvantages of oxygen ion battery
Disadvantages have also been found with oxygen ion battery.
1.not available at room temperature
Oxygen ion battery at present can only operate within a limited operating temperature range of 200°C to 400°C.
This means that they are not a replacement battery for smartphones or electric vehicles, where lithium-ion batteries are currently used.
However, they may be useful as temporary storage sites for large-scale energy generated by solar and wind power.
2.Low energy density and low capacity
Theoretically, the energy density of oxygen ion battery is said to be ⅓ below that of lithium-ion batteries.
Energy density is a measure of how much electricity can be stored, and a battery of the same size with a lower energy density will have a smaller battery capacity.
Summary
In this article, oxygen ion battery was explained.
Finally, let’s look back at the key points.
●Oxygen ion battery is a new battery developed at the Vienna University of Technology in 2023.
●Currently in the research phase and expected to improve
●The mechanism is similar to that of a lithium ion battery, with oxygen ions carrying electrons to generate an electric current.
●Advantages now are ‘long life’, ‘safe’ and ‘environmentally friendly’.
●Disadvantages at the present stage are ‘cannot be used at room temperature’ and ‘low capacity’.
Oxygen ion battery is still in its developmental stages.
We will continue to add information as new information becomes available.
We also has a lot of information on other batteries.
For more information, see also the following article.
Reference site
