A new type of battery currently being developed by NASA could potentially spark a revolution in aviation, particularly concerning the industry's role in contributing to around 2.4% of the global CO2 emissions, Euronews reports.
Scientists have long been in search of methods to electrify air travel and thereby reduce harmful emissions to zero.
However, the currently available battery technology is tailored only to specific lightweight aircraft models, like drones for instance. These technologies lack the necessary power capacity to sustain long-distance flights for passenger planes, which severely limits their application in the aviation sector.
Lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in electric vehicles and personal electronic devices, fall short of meeting the stringent safety standards required for aviation usage. Due to their combustible nature, items like laptops and phones can't be transported in cargo during flights.
Consequently, the pursuit of alternative solutions is imperative for realizing electric-powered flights. This precise direction of research is being actively explored by NASA's scientists, who are striving to uncover innovative ways to achieve this ambitious goal.
NASA is in the process of developing a groundbreaking battery technology that eliminates the need for liquid electrolytes, which are prone to safety issues due to their susceptibility to chain reactions and subsequent overheating and ignition.
Under the project "Solid-State Batteries, Enhanced Rechargeability and Safety" (SABERS), scientists are exploring an alternative battery design featuring a "solid" electrolyte structure. This type of battery not only possesses the required power capacity for aircraft but also maintains its solid structure even when damaged, ensuring non-flammability.
The prototype of this battery boasts an energy density of 500 Wh/kg, which is twice that of standard lithium-ion batteries.
The aviation sector demands quick energy discharge rates from power sources, akin to how quickly a bucket can be emptied. Energy density represents what the bucket can hold, while power refers to how swiftly it can be emptied. Electric aircraft need to release energy at an exceptionally high rate.
NASA's researchers have managed to increase the discharge rate of solid-state batteries by tenfold and anticipate a fivefold improvement as the prototypes evolve. These batteries can also withstand temperatures twice as high as the maximum tolerated by lithium-ion alternatives. They are more compact and lightweight, enabling "greater energy storage in a smaller space."
"Such a design not only reduces the battery weight by 30-40%, but it also doubles or even triples the amount of energy it can store, significantly surpassing the capabilities of lithium-ion batteries, which are considered cutting-edge," stated Rocco Viggiano, the SABERS project curator, last year.
Solid-state batteries are still undergoing testing, a process that incurs considerable costs. Moreover, before their deployment in commercial flights, they must undergo comprehensive trials.
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