Japanese Flexible Magnesium Air Battery All Solid State Technology Innovation
Researchers from Japan have created a flexible magnesium air battery which uses all solid state technology. The University of Tsukuba scientists in Japan developed a rechargeable magnesium air battery which provides a less expensive and safer solution than conventional lithium battery systems. The new battery design uses an all solid state system instead of traditional batteries which depend on liquid materials. This design choice fully eliminates the potential hazards of leaks and thermal instability which exist in batteries that use liquid materials.
The research team used porous nitrogen containing graphene materials to replace platinum cathodes because they wanted to lower production costs while increasing product lifespan. The material selection process works with two fundamental needs which must be fulfilled
- Durability The battery will maintain its performance throughout multiple charging and discharging cycles because graphene protects against degradation from chlorine found in the electrolyte.
- The nitrogen containing graphene material provides high catalytic activity which enables the battery to exceed the performance of traditional platinum based systems during efficiency evaluations.
The system uses a solid polymer electrolyte which contains magnesium chloride to create an ion transport mechanism that operates without requiring any liquid solutions.
Magnesium air batteries have specific energy densities which can match lithium air systems because they use atmospheric oxygen as their active cathode material. The University of Tsukuba version includes a special mechanical property which enables it to bend. The battery showed complete operational capability after testing at 120 degree bends which makes it suitable for wearable electronics and curved display technology.
The solid state design provides its main benefit because it removes all flammable liquid electrolytes from the system. The magnesium air battery achieves a safer consumer profile because the system prevents both leaks and thermal runaway events which occur in damaged lithium batteries. The energy storage industry may develop a more regular and affordable supply chain because magnesium exists in greater quantities from accessible sources than lithium.
