2024-01-11 11:46:47
par Dominique Dewitte
published on Thursday January 11, 2024 at 12:46 •
3 min read
A new type of battery, designed by Microsoft using artificial intelligence, uses 70% less lithium than traditional designs. The application of AI in its development marks a significant step forward in reducing lithium dependence. This research not only demonstrates the potential of AI in materials science, but also sets a new standard for sustainable and efficient battery design.
Why is this important?
Reducing the use of lithium can significantly reduce the costs and environmental impact of battery production. This development is crucial for the further development of green energy, in which battery storage plays a key role.
In the news : researchers used AI to design a new battery less dependent on lithium. This mineral is expensive and harmful to the environment.
- The team of Microsoft developed in just a few months a functional battery that uses up to 70% less lithium.
- Emphasis was placed on creating an all-solid-state battery, focusing specifically on finding new materials for the electrolyte component.
When will AI limit the use of lithium?
Zoom in : From an initial list of 32 million candidate materials identified by AI, the list was reduced to a few hundred unique substances never before studied.
- One remarkable material contained half as much lithium as usual, replaced by sodium. A first in battery technology.
- The team built a working battery with this material. However, it has lower conductivity than prototypes with more lithium.
Zoom out : the search for alternatives to lithium is essential given the environmental impact of its extraction. Especially since the demand for batteries for sustainable energy storage will continue to grow.
- This breakthrough illustrates the potential of AI in accelerating and improving materials research. Which is traditionally a long and expensive process.
The price of lithium-ion batteries decimated in 15 years
To note : Meanwhile, the battery industry has not been idle.
- Bloomberg New Energy Finance reports that the price of lithium-ion batteries has fallen from $780 per kWh a decade ago to a new low of 139 $ This year.
- According to the relatively predictable “learning curve” of Wright’s law, they should cost barely $80 in 2030. That is almost ten times less than in 2014.
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