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5 Alternatives To Lithium Battery

Last modified: Oct 25, 2022

Lithium-ion batteries were first developed in the early 1990s and had been growing in popularity. However, lithium is a limited resource. It is expensive to extract, and there is only so much available. This makes it essential to find alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. Several options are currently being developed.

5 Alternative to Lithium Battery

Aluminum-ion battery

Alternative to lithium - Aluminum

Aluminum-ion batteries are a type of battery that uses aluminum instead of lithium. They were first developed in the early 2000s and are beginning to be used in some commercial applications.

Aluminum is much cheaper than lithium, and it is abundant. This makes aluminum-ion batteries a more cost-effective option than lithium-ion batteries. Aluminum-ion batteries also have a higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries, so that they can store more energy in a smaller space. Aluminum-ion batteries are also much safer than lithium-ion batteries. This is because aluminum is not flammable, so there is no risk of fire if the battery is damaged. Aluminum-ion batteries also have a longer lifespan than lithium-ion batteries. They can be charged and discharged around 5,000 times, which is about ten times more than lithium-ion batteries.

Currently, EV batteries can't travel the distance many drivers desire and recharge times are at least a half-hour long. When purchasing something, this isn't an issue; however, taking a weekend trip is another story. Aluminum-ion batteries have the potential to revolutionize battery technology.

Read more: Electric Car Statistics in the US and Abroad

Sodium-ion battery 

Alternative to lithium - Sodium

A sodium-ion battery is a type of battery that uses sodium instead of lithium. Sodium is a very abundant element and is much cheaper than lithium. Sodium-ion batteries were first developed in the 1970s but were not commercially viable until recently.

Sodium-ion batteries have several advantages over lithium-ion batteries. They are much cheaper to produce, as sodium is very abundant. Sodium battery is also safer than lithium-ion batteries, as sodium is not flammable. Sodium-ion batteries also have a longer lifespan than lithium-ion batteries. These batteries can be charged and discharged ten times more than lithium-ion batteries before failing.

One downside of sodium-ion batteries is that they are less energy-dense than lithium-ion batteries. This means that they cannot store as much energy as lithium-ion batteries. As a result, sodium-ion batteries are unsuitable for applications with high power levels, such as electric vehicles.

Iron Salt Battery 

Alternative to lithium - Iron

Iron salt batteries are a type of battery that uses iron instead of lithium. Iron is much cheaper than lithium and is very abundant. Iron salt batteries have several advantages over lithium-ion batteries. The Iron battery is also safer than lithium-ion batteries, as iron is not flammable. Iron salt batteries also have a longer lifespan than lithium-ion batteries.

Iron salt batteries have a similar energy density to lithium-ion batteries, so they are suitable for applications where high levels of power are required. However, iron salt batteries are not as efficient as lithium-ion batteries.

Hemp - boron carbide battery

Alternative to lithium - Hemp

Hemp-boron carbide batteries are a type of battery that uses hemp and boron carbide instead of lithium. Hemp is a sustainable and renewable resource, while boron carbide is a rigid material. This makes hemp-boron carbide batteries environmentally friendly and durable. Hemp-boron carbide batteries have several advantages over lithium-ion batteries.

Hemp-boron carbide batteries are also much safer than lithium-ion batteries, as hemp is not flammable. Hemp-boron carbide batteries also have a longer lifespan than lithium-ion batteries.

Hemp batteries have a similar energy density to lithium-ion batteries, so they are suitable for applications where high levels of power are required. However, hemp-boron carbide batteries are not as efficient as lithium-ion batteries.

One downside of hemp-boron carbide batteries is that they are not yet commercially available. Unfortunately, they are not as widely known as lithium-ion batteries.

Glass Battery 

Alternative to lithium - Glass

Glass batteries use Glass instead of lithium. Glass is an abundant material and is very cheap. Glass batteries have several advantages over lithium-ion batteries.

Glass batteries are also much safer than lithium-ion batteries, as Glass is not flammable. Glass batteries also have a longer lifespan than lithium-ion batteries.

Glass batteries have a similar energy density to lithium-ion batteries, so they are suitable for applications requiring high levels of power. However, glass batteries are not as efficient as lithium-ion batteries.

One downside of glass batteries is that they are not yet commercially available. This means that they are not as widely known as lithium-ion batteries.

Notable examples

Magnesium 

According to scientists, magnesium atoms could release two electrons during battery discharge, whereas lithium atoms only release one. This implies that magnesium may transfer twice as much energy as lithium can. However, there is a lot of work to be done in this sector.

Silicon

Silicon can increase the battery's capacity by ten times when used in anodes for lithium-ion batteries. However, when silicon is used this way, it expands and contracts during charging and discharging, which causes it to break down over time. This limits the lifetime of the battery. Scientists are working on ways to overcome this problem.

The downside of Lithium battery

Short lifespan

One major downside of lithium batteries is their relatively short lifespan. They typically last for around 500 charge cycles, equivalent to about two to three years of use. After that, they start to degrade and lose capacity. This can be a problem for devices such as cell phones.

High cost

Lithium batteries are also quite expensive. This is due to the high cost of extracting lithium and the fact that they are not very energy-dense. This means you need more lithium to power a device for the same time as you would with other types of batteries.

Environmental impact

Lithium batteries also have a significant environmental impact. The manufacturing process is energy-intensive and produces harmful greenhouse gasses. Lithium mining can also be environmentally destructive.

Water usage and soil contamination are also significant concerns with lithium batteries. The manufacturing process requires a lot of water and can contaminate groundwater with toxic chemicals. Soil contamination is also a problem with lithium mining.

Fire Risk

Lithium batteries are also at risk of catching fire. This is because they contain a flammable electrolyte. If the battery is damaged, this can cause a short circuit, leading to a fire.

Another issue with lithium batteries is that they can pose a safety risk. If they are damaged or overcharged, they can catch fire or explode. This has led to high-profile incidents like the 2016 Samsung Galaxy Note 7 fiasco.

Related: T-Mobile Phone Insurance

Price of material and manufacturing

The high price of lithium and the energy-intensive manufacturing process make lithium batteries quite expensive. This is a significant barrier to their widespread adoption. The high cost of lithium and the environmental impact of mining it are two major factors that make finding alternatives to lithium batteries necessary. Several different materials are being investigated as possible substitutes for lithium.

Bottom line

Lithium-ion batteries are the most common type of battery on the market. However, an alternative to lithium is being developed to replace them. These include iron salt batteries, hemp-boron carbide batteries, glass batteries, and magnesium and silicon batteries. Each of these has its advantages and disadvantages and needs further development to hit the markets.

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FAQ

What is the newest battery technology?

Lithium-air batteries are a type of battery that uses air instead of lithium. Lithium-air batteries have several advantages over lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-air batteries are much lighter than lithium-ion batteries as they do not contain heavy lithium. This makes them suitable for use in applications where weight is a concern, such as in aircraft. Lithium-air batteries also have a higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries, so that they can store more energy per unit of weight.


What is the future of lithium?

Lithium batteries are expected to continue to be the dominant technology in the future. However, other technologies are being developed that may replace lithium technologies in some applications. Hemp-boron carbide and glass batteries are two examples of alternative battery technologies under development.


Why do lithium-ion batteries fail?

One of the most common failures is the result of the battery pack overheating. Overcharging the battery is one cause of heating issues. The excess charge combines with higher temperatures (such as direct sunlight). The battery pack experiences an increased level of stress. 


What is the best alternative to lithium?

There is no one "best" alternative to lithium. However, alternative battery technologies are being developed that may be better suited for specific applications. For example, hemp-boron carbide batteries are lighter than lithium-ion batteries so they may be a good choice for use in aircraft. Glass batteries have a longer lifespan than lithium-ion batteries, so they may be a good choice for applications that require a long life.


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