IBM developed cobalt-free battery for EVs. The battery utilizes minerals that are extracted from sea water and could beat out Li-ion batteries in the terms of their performance and cost.

IBM developed cobalt-free battery for EVs

International Business Machines (IBM) has developed a new battery that doesn’t require the use of heavy metals such as nickel and cobalt. The battery utilizes materials extracted from seawater. Another interesting aspect is that the battery could beat out Li-ion in performance as well as cost.

The design of the battery features a cobalt and nickel-free cathode and a safe liquid electrolyte, which has a high flash point. In lab tests, researchers at IBM Research Battery Labs’ found that the combination of the cathode and electrolyte is able to suppress lithium metal dendrites during charging. As a result, flammability aspects get reduced. This is an exceptionally useful discovery in the case of EV batteries, where flammability is a concern.

The new battery also provides faster charging rates and a high-power density. It takes less than five minutes for the battery which is configured for high power to reach an 80% state of charge (SOC).

In terms of power density, the battery exceeds more than 10,000 W/L, which is beyond the most powerful lithium-ion batteries available. Tests have also proved the battery can be designed for a long-life cycle and can be used for smart power grid applications where stability is key aspect.

The battery could definitely help the automotive industry to achieve its goal of a fast-charging, low-cost electric vehicle. IBM says that, in order to develop the technology and explore its commercial possibilities, it is partnering Mercedes-Benz’s research arm, battery electrolyte supplier Central Glass and battery maker Sidus.

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