The Australian Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) has announced a new aluminum-ion battery. Performance test results show that the charging speed is 10 times faster than traditional lithium-ion batteries, and it also has a longer lifespan. It has the advantages of long life and does not require cooling. In experiments conducted at the Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at the University of Queensland, a coin cell prototype of this new battery provided the following key performance data:
First, the power density was around 7000 watts/kilogram. Power density is a measure of how quickly a battery charges and discharges. Current lithium-ion batteries range from 250 to 700 watts/kg, which represents a huge advancement that brings aluminum-ion batteries almost to nicalf of supercapacitors, which can provide around 12,000 to 14,000 watts/kg.
Second, the energy density is 150-160 Wh/kg – so it only supports about 60% of the weight of today's best commercial lithium-ion batteries. Energy density has always been a key consideration in electric vehicle battery spec sheets; the higher the energy density, the more battery life you can get. So, in terms of energy density alone, this new GMG battery will not be favored by electric vehicle manufacturers.
However, this new battery has a powerful charging speed. GMG claims that these things charge very quickly and phones using this aluminum-ion technology can be fully charged in 1-5 minutes. Take this concept to the realm of electric vehicles and you'll see an electric car that has 60% of the range of a Testhe equivalent, but will charge much more quickly, so battery life may just be a small matter of compromise.
Additionally, in life cycle tests, they far outperformed lithium batteries, undergoing 2,000 full charge and discharge cycles without any significant deterioration in performance, and they are very safe against fire risks. and they are also easier to recycle than lithium batteries at the end of their useful life.
GMG claims that another advantage of the new battery is its excellent heat dissipation. Even though they charge and discharge at enormous speeds, they don't seem to overheat. Speaking to Forbes, GMG managing director Craig Nicol said: “So far there have been no temperature issues. 20% of lithium-ion batteries are linked to their cooling. Chances are we don't have anywe don't need it. cooling or heating at all. It doesn't overheat, and in testing so far it works well below freezing. They do not need circuit cooling or heating.
This fact changes the endurance equation: using the 100 kWh battery above as an example, a GMG battery of the same weight can only carry 60 kWh. However, if the extra 80kg of cooling equipment isn't needed, the GMG-powered car can carry an extra 80kg of battery, which our back of the envelope estimates will give you a total of 72.8 kilowatt-hours of power – and a massive fast charging rate that should put an end to range anxiety.