Free of Heavy Metals, New Battery Design Could Alleviate Environmental Concerns

IBM Research continues to push the boundaries of materials science, unveiling a groundbreaking battery innovation that could significantly reduce reliance on heavy metals in battery production. This breakthrough could enhance the long-term sustainability of key components in our energy infrastructure.

As industries transition to battery-powered solutions for transportation, energy grids, and beyond, concerns persist regarding the sustainability of existing battery technologies. Many commonly used materials, including heavy metals like nickel and cobalt, present serious environmental and ethical challenges. Cobalt, primarily sourced from central Africa, has been widely criticized for exploitative and hazardous mining practices.

In response, our team at IBM Research has pioneered a novel battery chemistry using three proprietary materials never before combined in a battery. This innovative approach eliminates the need for heavy metals and other materials with sourcing concerns.

A key advantage of this battery is its ability to utilize materials extracted from seawater, paving the way for a more sustainable and less invasive alternative to traditional mining.

Beyond its composition, this next-generation battery demonstrates exceptional performance potential. Early testing shows that it can be optimized to surpass lithium-ion batteries in critical areas such as affordability, charging speed, energy density, efficiency, and safety.

A Next-Generation Battery That Could Surpass Lithium-Ion Technology

Developed at IBM Research’s Battery Lab, this cutting-edge battery design introduces a cobalt- and nickel-free cathode paired with a safe, high-flash-point liquid electrolyte. This unique combination effectively suppresses the formation of lithium metal dendrites during charging, a breakthrough that reduces the risk of flammability – a longstanding challenge for lithium-based batteries.

This innovation has significant implications for electric vehicle batteries, where safety, cost, and charging speed are substantial considerations. Early testing has shown that this battery can reach an 80% charge in under five minutes when optimized for high power. Combined with its lower material costs, this development could make fast-charging, affordable electric vehicles a reality.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of electric aviation and flying vehicles, battery technology with high power density and rapid energy deployment is essential. This next-generation battery design surpasses 10,000 W/L, outperforming even the most advanced lithium-ion alternatives. Additionally, tests suggest that it can be engineered for an extended lifecycle. It is well-suited for applications such as smart power grids and next-generation energy infrastructures, where long-term stability is crucial.

Key Advantages Of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Beyond its impressive versatility, this new battery technology has been optimized to deliver several significant benefits:

• Lower Cost: The cathode materials are free from cobalt, nickel, and other heavy metals, significantly reducing production costs and addressing sustainability concerns related to resource-intensive mining.
• Faster Charging: Capable of reaching 80% charge in under five minutes without sacrificing discharge capacity.
• High Power Density: Surpassing 10,000 W/L, exceeding the power output of current lithium-ion batteries.
• High Energy Density: Achieves more than 800 Wh/L, comparable to state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries.
• Exceptional Energy Efficiency: Demonstrates over 90% efficiency based on the ratio of discharged energy to input energy.
• Enhanced Safety: The use of low-flammability electrolytes significantly improves overall battery safety.

From Research to Commercial Development

To transition this technology from the research phase to industry adoption, IBM Research is collaborating with Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America, Central Glass (a leading battery electrolyte supplier), and Sidus (a battery manufacturer). These partnerships build a next-generation battery development ecosystem to scale this breakthrough into real-world applications.

While still in the early stages of exploration, this collaboration represents a significant step toward commercial viability, bringing the possibility of a safer, faster-charging, and more sustainable battery closer to reality.

Accelerating Battery Innovation with AI

Looking ahead, the research team is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to accelerate the discovery of safer, high-performance battery materials. By employing a technique known as semantic enrichment, AI enables researchers to analyze vast datasets, uncovering insights from millions of data points. This advanced approach helps scientists refine hypotheses, identify promising material combinations, and significantly speed up the innovation process in battery technology.

A Legacy of Materials Science Innovation

The Battery Lab at IBM Research integrates expertise across multiple disciplines, including materials science, molecular chemistry, electrical engineering, advanced battery testing, and computer simulation. It builds on IBM Research’s long-standing history of driving breakthroughs in materials science.

One of IBM’s most transformative contributions to the field was the invention of chemical amplification. This breakthrough became the foundation of modern electronic devices and played a crucial role in advancing Moore’s Law, enabling the rapid development of faster and more cost-effective semiconductors.

When tackling the challenges of next-generation battery technology and, by extension, the broader obstacles to renewable energy adoption, the team relied on IBM Research’s robust infrastructure, which allowed for deep investigations into materials at the molecular and atomic levels.

For example, IBM’s pioneering work in atomic force microscopy has empowered scientists to study interactions between materials with extraordinary precision. This capability has been instrumental in developing new battery chemistries and offers a clearer understanding of material behaviors at the nanoscale.

Combining expertise in materials science, catalysis, semiconductor fabrication, and chemical reaction mechanisms, the Battery Lab at IBM Research has unlocked a powerful new approach to battery design. This fusion of AI-driven discovery and fundamental materials research has led to an exciting breakthrough that can potentially transform the future of sustainable energy storage.