CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer, has announced a groundbreaking breakthrough in energy density, revealing that their new ‘condensed’ battery has an energy intensity of 500 Wh/kg. This almost double’s the density of current batteries manufactured by Tesla, and will be available for mass production this year.
This new condensed battery features a range of new technologies, including ultra-high energy density cathode materials, innovative anode materials, separators and manufacturing processes. Not only does this extend the possibilities in the development of the battery sector, but it also promotes the achievement of global carbon neutrality goals with greater efficiency.
CATL’s new condensed battery is also applicable for not just automobiles, but electric passenger aircraft too.
With the new advancements, CATL is encouraging the industry to commit to aviation-level safety and quality requirements, with the goal of producing batteries that meet the stringent standards needed for the aviation sector.
This significant breakthrough by CATL could revolutionise the battery sector and open up many opportunities. It is a revolutionary move that is sure to have a huge impact in the years to come.
The quest for better batteries
The battery industry is constantly evolving and requires a precise and delicate balance of elements to make the perfect battery.
This balance combines tweaking the component parts of the battery such as the cathode, anode and electrolyte to reduce weight and increase conductivity, as well as engineering the shape and structure of the battery.
In 2019, Chinese battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) released a new type of advanced lithium-ion battery, which uses a highly conductive electrolyte gel. This special gel, paired with innovative anode materials, allows the battery to reduce weight while still achieving a high energy density.
In addition, using a sodium-ion battery results in a battery that is half the price, although it has a lower energy density than lithium-ion batteries. Graphene batteries are another area of intense research to achieve higher energy densities.
Source: Bloomberg.
