The range of electric aircraft could increase significantly

  • Reading Time:2Minutes

The stability and performance of lithium-oxygen batteries could be significantly improved with a tailored electrolyte that could represent the next generation of rechargeable batteries. This is according to a team of scientists from the University of Liverpool, Johnson Matthey PLC and Loughborough University, which has designed a new stable material mixture for lithium-metal anode lithium-oxygen batteries.

The lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) battery (or lithium-air battery), which consists of Li metal and a porous conductive skeleton as electrodes, releases energy from the reaction of oxygen in air with lithium. This emerging technology has a much higher energy storage potential than the conventional lithium-ion battery.

In a study published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials, Laurence Hardwick, Professor of Renewable Energy at the University of Liverpool, and colleagues have identified and developed electrolyte formulations that minimise side reactions and allow cycle stability.

According to the study’s lead author, Dr Alex Neale, a Hardwick fellow in Liverpool, the research shows that the reactivity of certain electrolyte components can be switched off by precisely controlling the ratio of the components. He explained, “The ability to accurately formulate the electrolyte using readily available, low volatility components has allowed us to specifically tailor an electrolyte to the needs of metal-air battery technology that has significantly improved cycle stability and functionality.”

“Li-O2 batteries have an extremely high theoretical specific energy, so the realisation of a practical and truly rechargeable Li-O2 device can outperform state-of-the-art lithium-ion cells at a fraction of the theoretical capacity. However, one of the main technological barriers to development is the stability of Li-O2 cell materials. If the stability and performance of Li-O2 batteries can be optimised, Li-O2 devices could significantly increase the range of electric aircraft, for example,” added Dr Pooja Goddard, from the Department of Chemistry at Loughborough University.

Much work remains to be done to improve the stability of the cathode materials, but the breakthrough represents a major milestone for the future of energy storage, as Li-O2 cells are expected to have up to ten times the charging capacity of current batteries.

Recent article

EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles

The flying ambulance arrives at lightning speed

EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles

The electric car revolution could continue in the air

EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles

Unmanned aerial taxis flew in a unique formation

Electric airplane News & Articles

NASA’s Innovations: Soaring into an Electrified Flight Future

EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles

Could eVTOLs and Air Taxis Replace Public Transport ?

Additional aircraft News & Articles

The Morphobot: An Innovation in Multimodal Robotics

News & Articles Points of interest

The Dawn of AI Air Travel: Airbus and its Vision for Autonomy

Air taxi News & Articles

Volocopter’s High-Flying Ambitions for the Olympics

News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel

The Horizon of Aviation: Airbus’ Vision for 2035 and Beyond

EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles

A Shift in Aviation Licensing and Training

Drones News & Articles

Russia’s Path to Drone Supremacy

Air taxi News & Articles

Israel’s Pioneering Venture into Drone Transport

Air taxi News & Articles

More efficient air taxis in the future

Air taxi News & Articles

Testing of perhaps the most promising air taxi begins

Additional aircraft News & Articles

Navigating the Future: Autonomous Helicopters Soar High

EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles

Embracing the Future: Seoul’s Leap into Urban Air Mobility
More articles you may be interested in...

Air taxi News & Articles

The Coming Electric Air Taxi Revolution: Competing with Train Tickets ?

The Dutch company, Electron Aviation, is making a bold promise that is set to disrupt.......... READ MORE

News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel

Unveiling the Whisper of Innovation: CycloTech’s Exploration into CycloRotor Noise Levels

In the fast-paced realm of aeronautical engineering, the introduction of CycloRotors has heralded a paradigm.......... READ MORE

Points of interest

Sailing the Skies in Style: Airbus’s Novel Vision for Air Travel

Navigating the dawn of a fresh chapter in aviation, Airbus recently shared its audacious plans.......... READ MORE

Drones News & Articles

Boosting Agriculture: A Drone Revolution Awaits in Budapest

The stage is set in Hungary, as it stands on the brink of an exciting.......... READ MORE

News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel

Embracing the Future with Rolls-Royce’s Revolutionary UltraFan Engine

Just when you thought the apex of innovation had been reached, Rolls-Royce challenges the notion.......... READ MORE

Air taxi News & Articles

Testing of perhaps the most promising air taxi begins

For some of us, the very idea of an air taxi evokes scenes straight out.......... READ MORE

Additional aircraft News & Articles

Navigating the Future: Autonomous Helicopters Soar High

Unmanned helicopters are no longer a concept in some futuristic Sci-Fi novel. They're here, revolutionizing.......... READ MORE

EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles

Embracing the Future: Seoul’s Leap into Urban Air Mobility

In an audacious move to revolutionize its transport system, Seoul - the bustling South Korean.......... READ MORE