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Battery Blog   >   The Future of Battery Technology - December 6, 2014

Batteries have been the quiet, unsung heroes of the tech revolution. Think of any gadget, digital tool, or even advanced form of transportation, and chances are good that there’s a battery powering its inner workings. But when batteries run out of juice, our work and play come to a disappointing halt.

With new technology improving at a rapid rate, batteries need to keep pace to power the things we want and need. Researchers are continually looking for ways to make batteries harness more power, store more energy, last longer, and power more things in an easier and more affordable manner. Here are some of the improvements in battery technology that we see in the near future.

Advancements in Lithium Technology

Lithium ion batteries are extremely popular. They’re used with everything from cell phones to laptops to power tools. But they have their drawbacks: they eventually stop holding a charge, and they can generate quite a bit of heat. Scientists are currently looking at the possibility of lithium air batteries to power everything from personal gadgets and devices to cars and heavy duty machinery. These are more environmentally friendly than current lithium-based cells, and they have the potential to be lighter, safer, and longer lasting as well. Of course, all the kinks haven’t been worked out, as there are still issues with stability, blockages, and rust. These need to be overcome before lithium air batteries can be brought to market.


Faster Charges for Smart Phones

All the planning in the world can’t eliminate the fact that smart phones need time to charge. This can usually take anywhere from one to three hours, depending on your phone and what it’s doing when it’s plugged in. The good news is that a Silicon Valley company called Qnovo is making great progress on a multifaceted process that cuts charge time by more than half. While the technology is not quite ready for the market, it’s speculated that the hardware and software necessary will be available within the next year.

Competition from Zinc

There’s so much focus on lithium in the battery world, but some scientists are pushing to create a zinc air battery to power our devices. Problems with stability have dogged zinc battery development, but solutions have been developed, and researchers at a Montana-based company insist the technology is almost ready to compete with lithium cells. Consumers have good reason to be interested in zinc air batteries as they have the potential to produce twice the power of lithium ion batteries at less than half of the cost. Plus, zinc is lightweight, plentiful, and much more environmentally friendly than lithium. While no specific launch date has been set, some scientists suggest that three to five years is feasible for making this technology available to the public.

While no one can predict the future, we know that energy researchers are continually pushing to find better battery solutions: cells that can better, faster, and more efficiently power the devices in our lives. In the coming years, it’s a safe bet that we’ll see batteries on the market that cost less, charge faster, go longer between charges, and are easier to recycle. It’s an exciting time to watch the changes in battery technology.
 
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