Scientists are working on a successful formula by examining the failures of a new battery type. Their objective is to create a design for the long-term storage of wind and solar energy. These energy sources are produced erratically, but with the right improvements, they can be utilized more reliably in the electric grid.
Scientists are working on a successful formula by examining the failures of a new battery type. Their objective is to create a design for the long-term storage of wind and solar energy. These energy sources are produced erratically, but with the right improvements, they can be utilized more reliably in the electric grid.
Batteries typically store and release energy by allowing ions to move between electrodes through a liquid electrolyte. In contrast, researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have developed a battery where sodium ions move through a more robust and energy-efficient solid electrolyte that has been enhanced for better conductivity.
Solid electrolytes are viewed as the next major advancement in battery technology, but scientists must overcome obstacles like understanding their failure under intense demand. The team at ORNL tested the battery under high current and voltage using a powerful X-ray beam at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. This allowed them to see how ions accumulate in the pores of the electrolyte, ultimately leading to the formation of structures that can create a short circuit.
“This information will help us enhance this promising solid electrolyte material, making it better suited for long-term renewable energy storage,” remarked ORNL researcher Mengya Li.
