Progress to Magnesium ion battery which theoretically could double lithium ion battery energy density -- Tom
Not sure these batteries will be widely accepted unless they are bio-degradable, economically worthwhile to recycle, or other less harmful to the environment.
For the good 15 years I read somewhere about new batteries being around the corner that will revolutionize xyz and nothing happens. I will believe this when my next iPhone can last for more than 30 mins of Skype over 4G.
I'm not sure that a battery can truly be biodegradable. Producing Magnesium would be more environmentally friendly than Lithium. Lithium mining is a very destructive process. Everybody wants it but no one wants it produced where they live. A lot of ground gets torn up for a small yield. Magnesium is a lot more common. Regarding recycling batteries, other than lead-acid automotive batteries, is any substantial percentage of any disposable battery being recycled? I can't help but think about the latest battery commercial I saw, bragging that it's 4% recycled batteries. Big deal. It's still 96% waste. I'd like to see more research on miniaturized fuel cells that could be refilled, possibly running on Hydrogen. If they could get it right, it would solve all kinds of problems. No need for mining rare earth minerals for them. No recycling issues with a refillable product.
Lemon Power Biodegradable battery melts in body So it can be done - but it will be long time before such batteries can be used in today's demanding devices.
