Researchers Announce Potassium Battery Breakthrough
The development of renewable energy and electric vehicles has necessitated advancements way beyond the levels of battery technology people have been able to rely on up until now, whether it is the lithium batteries used in electric vehicles, or new developments that enhance the capacity of materials previously thought to have limited benefits.
In the latter case, this has often involved innovations to take familiar materials and break down barriers to greater storage capacity, something a battery technology firm has now claimed with potassium.
Group1 announced its new development at the Beyond Lithium conference in Austin, Texas, with the world’s first potassium-ion battery taking the cylindrical 18650 form factor.
While the 18650 form factor is the most widely used cell factor, what is new is the way the firm has managed to create Kristonite, a 4v cathode material developed from Prussian white potassium by Group1, which offers high energy storage without having to incorporate some rare or highly toxic minerals associated with lithium, like cobalt and nickel.
The firm states that it is a better option than either lithium-ion or sodium-ion batteries, which if proven will mean increased demand for refined potassium titanates.
“This innovation represents years of dedicated research and product development. By distributing samples to our partners among Tier 1 OEMs and cell manufacturers,“ said Group1 CEO Alexander Girau, adding that the firm is “paving the way for widespread adoption of this transformative technology”.
Potassium certainly isn’t the only material to be the subject of a new technology breakthrough announcement in recent years; in 2022, researchers in Finland said they had found a way to create a fully-effective sand battery for the first time, which could store heat for months on end.
However, as that was a 100-tonne device, it may be beneficial for heating homes and offices, but not for cars or mobile devices. Therefore, the potassium innovation could yet provide the most significant and viable alternative to lithium to emerge for many years.
