Solid-State Lithium-O2 Battery Featuring Integrated Electrolyte + Cathode Structure Shows Potential A new solid-state lithium-O2 battery featuring an integrated electrolyte + cathode structure � developed by researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology � has shown good potential, according to recent reports.

The new battery was developed with the intention of dealing with two of the primary issues facing conventional solid-state Li-air battery performance: limited 3-phase boundaries (electrode, electrolyte, O2 interfaces) and high internal resistance. The battery features considerably improved internal resistance (reduced), and an increase in triple-pause boundaries.

These were achieved via the use of a much thinner electrolyte layer than is conventionally used (around 10% the thickness of those used in conventional batteries), and a very highly porous cathode (with an increase of 78% in porosity as compared to conventional designs).

As a result, the battery outputs a discharge capacity as high as 14,200 mA h g-1carbon at 0.15 mA cm-2, and can sustain 100 cycles at a fixed capacity of 1,000 mA h g-1carbon. The novel integrated electrolyte and cathode structure represents a significant step toward the advancement of Li-O2 batteries.

The new work and findings are detailed in a new paper in the RSC journal Energy & Environmental Science.

As ever, new battery technology �breakthroughs� are a dime a dozen these days, so while certainly worth taking note of, whether or not anything actually comes out of this work with regard to the commercial sector is an open question.