Oct-03-12
Researchers have discovered that replacing lithium with sugar could create stronger, long-lasting batteries with more energy storage capabilities.
Led by Associate Professor Shinichi Komaba, the team from the Tokyo University of Science heated sucrose to as high as 2,700 °F in an oxygen-free atmosphere. This process, called pyrolysis, results in a hard carbon powder that can be embedded in a sodium-ion battery to create a storage capacity 20 percent greater than conventional hard carbon.
The team hopes to reach their goal of a creating a commercially available battery within five years.
Show 1 Comment