Batteries made from seawater charge 80% in 5 minutes, safer

On December 18, IBM announced that it had developed a new battery technology using materials extracted from seawater.

IBM's new battery design will not use the rare materials Cobalt and nickel in the cathode. In addition, the old electrolyte solution has also been replaced with a completely new compound, which is capable of preventing dendrite phenomenon, the reason why lithium-ion batteries are prone to electric shock

IBM says lab tests show its new seawater battery technology has many advantages over lithium-ion batteries, including:

• Cheaper cost: The new battery will use seawater extract materials to replace cobalt, nickel and some other heavy metals, saving a lot of money.
• Faster charging: The SOC charging test shows that the new battery can charge up to 80% of capacity in less than 5 minutes.
• The amount of energy in a unit of battery volume is higher: The new battery reaches more than 10,000 kilowatts / liter, higher than the energy level of the best lithium-ion battery at the present time, more than 800 kilowatt hours / liter.
• Excellent performance: According to the rate of discharge / charge power, the new battery reaches over 90%.
• Safer than current lithium-ion technology.

Currently, IBM is cooperating with Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG), battery electrolyte supplier Central Glass and battery manufacturer Sidus to trade for its new battery design made from seawater. IBM hopes it will be able to launch its first battery prototype in a year, starting now.

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