New Materials offer Solution to Energy StorageJuly 31, 2001A scientist from the University of St. Andrews will describe the results of more than fifteen years of research, to be published in the journal 'Nature' on 2 August, which could change the way we power battery driven devices in the future. Rechargeable lithium batteries have been a major technological success in recent years. They are critical to the continued miniaturisation of mobile telephones, laptop computers and other technological (e.g. electric vehicles) and medical devices. The amount of charge, which can be stored in them is limited however, and Professor Peter Bruce and his team have been researching how this can be improved. Lithium batteries consist of a metal oxide positive electrode, a graphite negative electrode and an electrolyte separating these. The solution has been to develop new compounds that can be used as the electrodes and electrolyte. Professor Bruce's results, which will be presented at the Royal Society of Chemistry's Annual Conference, at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on Thursday 2 August, may therefore hold the key to the development of safe, clean, low cost and sustainable power generation and energy storage for the 21st century. Professor Bruce states, "I want to be cautious about our achievements, there is always more that needs to be done. However, our new materials do offer some key advantages and this is clearly demonstrated by the fact that they are now being commercialised as the basis of future generations of rechargeable lithium batteries."
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