John Goodenough Creates Earth-Friendly Battery That Completely Beats Lithium-Ion Ones

University of Texas at Austin Professor John Goodenough recently made a new discovery on battery technology that could possibly be a game-changer. Credited as the father of the current lithium-ion battery, the 94-year old professor has developed a solid-state battery that is better than its lithium-ion variant in almost all aspects.

According to Engadget, the new solid-state battery is reportedly capable of storing three times more energy, certainly extending the life of most devices and vehicles. Charging with be a non-issue, as the new battery will only take a few minutes to fully charge. Plus, it is said that the solid-state battery will be able to handle more charging cycles that the ones used now.

One of the issues with the lithium-ion battery is its high possibility to short circuit that leads to explosions and fires, like the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 fiasco last year. Interestingly, Fox News reported that the battery Goodenough is working with Maria Helena Braga, senior researcher of Cockrell School, will be safer than the current batteries in the market.

According to the explanation, the solid-state batteries will be made with glass electrolytes, instead of the liquid ones used in lithium-ion batteries. Goodenough's use of glass electrolytes will avoid the formation of dendrites, whisker-like lithium pieces that cause batteries to short-circuit. This also gives the new batteries high conductivity, working on several degrees below zero.

Since it would be made with eco-friendly materials, the new solid-state batteries will cost less to manufacture, a good thing in itself. More power at a low cost with green materials sounds like a dream come true for anyone. No word yet though from Goodenough or his team on when it would be implemented in devices or vehicles.

John Goodenough co-created the lithium-ion battery with Arumugam Manthiram in 1989, when the duo showed that electrodes can produce higher voltages with polyanions than oxides. According to their study, it was due to the induction effect brought by the polyanions like sulfates.