Every facet of the modern smartphone has undergone a veritable series of developments over the past few decades. But the one key ingredient that powers it all has apparently stalled since its origins in the 1960s. The main principle of batteries has remained the same ever since.
While solid-state batteries showcased the possibility of a replacement, a few other approaches seem likely to take over as well. Calcium-ion batteries are one such new addition that might soon replace the lithium-ion batteries found in all devices. An ordinary lithium-ion battery has three compartments that store energy: an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The movement of charged particles from the anode to the cathode and vice versa powers devices.
Whenever an external load is connected to the battery, stored charged particles flow from the anode through your smartphone and back to the cathode. This electron flow powers your device. While lithium-ion batteries have been a staple for manufacturers for years, they are often unsafe when exposed to air, making them dangerous if the outer layer is punctured. In cases of thermal runaways or a punctured outer shell, batteries can combust or even explode, leading to fires.
These fires are hard to put out. Beyond that, these kinds of batteries require a narrow temperature and voltage range to operate freely. To increase battery capacity, manufacturers add silicon to the anode, but these add-ons are short-term solutions and highlight the potential ceiling of this technology. Lithium is rare, and mining it has led to geopolitical issues.
Calcium-ion Batteries Lead the Change
While the idea might seem novel, calcium could be a perfect replacement for lithium-ion batteries. Calcium metal has high conductivity, and its high melting point makes it an ideal choice for batteries. Theoretically, it could serve as a direct replacement, as it has a higher density ceiling than lithium-ion batteries.
Professor Yoonseob Kim and his research team at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have developed a quasi-solid calcium electrolyte that enables improved ion transport and reduces wear during repeated cycles.
What really helps this new invention stand as a replacement is its ability to achieve 1,000 cycles of charge and discharge while retaining 74% of its capacity. The results already outperform some existing lithium-ion batteries and operate at higher voltages.
However, the lack of infrastructure to transport and charge these batteries as quickly as lithium-ion batteries, along with an industry capable of supporting their production, hampers the possibility of widespread adoption. Hence, commercial availability, according to a PhoneArena report, could be 5 to 10 years away.
