Summary Reader Response Draft 2
The web page “How an accidental discovery made this year could change the world” from BIGTHINK (Lockett, 2022) explores how lithium-ion batteries are inferior to lithium-sulfur batteries. Lithium-ion is used to store charge and power most electrical devices. However it was reported that lithium-ion harmful to the vast ecosystems, have lifecycle problems from recurrent charging, battery degradation, are not suitable for lightweight applications and volatile inspired Drexel scientists to look into lithium-sulfur batteries (Lockett, 2022).The lithium-sulfur battery eliminates the above issues, but the trade-off is half the charging cycle of lithium-ion batteries. BIGTHINK reports in comparison to ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries will last twice as long, have three times more energy, charges equally fast, reduce battery expansion, better safety margins, and are cheaper (Lockett, 2022). Lithium-sulfur batteries potentially allow a huge range of activities to go full electric like short-haul flights, cargo vessels, and passenger ferries. This results in weight-saving, longevity, and competitive prices to achieve low-carbon goals (Lockett, 2022).
The advantages of the
lithium-sulfur batteries, results in lithium-sulfur batteries being more
capable, cost effective and safer option for the application of use in
transportation as compared to lithium-ion batteries
Firstly, lithium-sulfur
batteries are more capable in terms of battery storage as compared to
lithium-ion. The lithium-sulfur battery has a specific energy capacity of 1,220
mAh/g compared to 140 mAh/g for lithium-ion batteries (“Singapore Scientists
Simplify”, 2019). A potential application that can demonstrate the superiority
of lithium-sulfur batteries against lithium-ion batteries will be on electric
vehicles. As of 2021, the range of electric-powered vehicles powered by
lithium-ion batteries covers approximately 243 miles while the use of
lithium-sulfur enables the electric vehicle to travel up to 1000 miles
(Fearon,2022). This will be an improvement in efficiency generally across all
modes of transportation. For example, cars and other modes of transportation
will be able to travel a longer distance without having to stop for a recharge.
This will allow passengers, operators, and drivers to travel for a longer
distance without having to worry about where they will have to stop next for a
recharge.
Secondly, lithium-ion
batteries are more expensive as compared to lithium-sulfur batteries as they
are highly sought after and use rare raw materials such as cobalt (“Lithium-ion
Battery”, 2022). The use these materials is one of the main reasons that drive
an increase in the price of lithium-ion batteries (Stoikou, 2022). The reason why electric vehicles are generating a lower
adoption rate than gas-burning vehicles is because lithium-ion batteries are
more expensive (Baker,2022). According to U.S News, the average price of an
electric vehicle was about $18,000 more than the average price of a gas vehicle
in July 2022 (Threewitt,2022). A Reuters article has also shared that electric
vehicles equipped with lithium-sulfur batteries can be up to two-thirds cheaper
than the current lithium-ion battery. This
can allow cost savings for the end consumer when it comes to the cost of an electric
vehicles, which can encourage the shift from gas vehicles to electric vehicles.
Thirdly, lithium-sulfur
batteries are safer compared to lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-sulfur does not
require a conversion reaction that forms charge and discharge and therefore, this
can reduce the risk of catastrophic failure. Lithium-sulfur batteries can also
lower the risk of thermal runaway compared to lithium-ion. Adding on, a
protective solid-state layer at the anode reduces the occurrence of short
circuits (Gould, 2020). As of today, the lithium-sulfur battery has passed the
following safety tests: altitude, thermal, vibrations, shocks, external short
circuits, crush, and forced discharge (“NexTech Batteries Earn”, 2022). This
can ensure that the transportation vehicle is safe for commercial use and can
prevent catastrophic accidents caused by vehicle malfunction.
Some opponents of
leveraging lithium-sulfur batteries over lithium ion batteries might argue that
the con of utilising lithium-sulfur battery is that it is very poor in handling
a large amount of charging cycles as compared to a lithium-ion battery. This is
due to the charging process of lithium-sulfur batteries that results in an
accumulation of chemical deposits known as dendrites which affect the ability
to operate at peak efficiency (Osmanbasic, 2023). However, according to an
article by Modern
Sciences (Gamma Sulfur, 2022), researchers at Drexel
University found a rare form of sulfur known as gamma sulfur which can remain
stable over four thousand charge and discharge cycles. Therefore, this slows
down the battery degradation and this development will lead to the more
sustainable and affordable battery technology. However, researchers will
require more time to better understand this finding.
In conclusion, the use
of lithium-sulfur batteries offers numerous benefits compared to lithium-ion
batteries such as lower cost, improved efficiency, and safety. While there are
a few challenges to still overcome, such as the battery’s ability to handle a
large number of charging cycles, which is something that the researchers are
still looking into. The future of using the lithium-sulfur battery is
potentially promising for the use of different transportation modes.
Lockett, W. (2022, June
8). How an accidental discovery made this year could change the world.
Big Think. https://bigthink.com/the-future/lithium-sulfur-batteries/?utm_medium=Social
Singapore Scientists Simplify Lithium-Sulfur
Battery Production to Meet Future Energy Storage Needs. A*STAR HQ Corporate
Website. https://www.a-star.edu.sg/News/a-star-news/news/press-releases/singapore-scientists-simplify-lithium-sulfur-battery-production-to-meet-future-energy-storage-needs
U Mich team develops 1,000-cycle lithium-sulfur
battery. Green Car Congress.
Robin Fearon. (2022,
May 17). How Lithium Batteries Will Improve EV Range and Rapid Charging.
Discovery. https://www.discovery.com/motor/lithium-battery
Lithium-ion Battery Pack
Prices Rise for First Time to an Average of $151/kWh. (2022, December 6).
BloombergNEF. https://about.bnef.com/blog/lithium-ion-battery-pack-prices-rise-for-first-time-to-an-average-of-151-kwh/
Cherise Threewitt.
(2022, December 7). Why Are Electric Cars So Expensive? U.S.NEWS. https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/why-are-electric-cars-so-expensive
Lithium-Sulfur Batteries:
Advantages. (2020, July 22). The Faraday Institution. https://www.faraday.ac.uk/lis-advantages/
NexTech Batteries Earns
Milestone UN/DOT Safety Certification, Advancing Patented Lithium-Sulfur
Technology Towards Commercialization. (2022, September
22). https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nextech-batteries-earns-milestone-undot-safety-certification-advancing-patented-lithium-sulfur-technology-towards-commercialization-301630369.html
“Gamma Sulfur” May Hold the Key to Future
Lithium-Sulfur Batteries - Modern Sciences.
(2022, March 9). Modern Sciences. https://modernsciences.org/gamma-sulfur-may-hold-the-key-to-future-lithium-sulfur-batteries/
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