Researchers at Australia's Monash University are using a common medicine cabinet antiseptic in unique battery chemistry that could soon power drones and other electric aircraft, according to a school news release.
The team is tapping Betadine, a common brand name for a topical medication used to treat cuts and other wounds, in research garnering surprising results.
"... We found a way to accelerate the charge and discharge rates, making them a viable battery option for real-world heavy-duty use," paper first author and doctoral student Maleesha Nishshanke said in the release.
Lithium-sulfur, or Li-S, batteries include common materials with high capacity potential. The pack type could provide a cheaper alternative to lithium-ion ones, according to AZoNano.
Monash's Aussie neighbors at the University of Adelaide are working on Li-S tech, as well. Li-S batteries are used to power some smaller devices, and even certain electric vehicles, per the University of Adelaide. But they can take hours for a charge/discharge cycle to complete. Monash's report noted another concern that Li-S tech has "struggled to maintain high performance without degrading quickly."
By adding Betadine to the mix, though, Monash experts say they have created a light pack that "doubled" the energy density — the amount of power the pack can store per pound — of traditional lithium-ion units.
The applications could impact our lives in multiple ways.
"This represents a major breakthrough toward making Li-S a feasible option not just for long-haul EVs but particularly in industries like aviation and maritime that require rapid, reliable power that is crucially light-weighted," the paper's co-lead author, Petar Jovanović, said in the release.
On the road, the team touts a 621-mile range on a "few hours" of recharge time. To drive home the point, Jovanović said a nearly 545-mile trip from Melbourne to Sydney on a single charge is feasible.
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"... Or a smartphone that charges in minutes — we're on the cusp of making this a reality," he added.
The Monash release doesn't go deep into the lab book for an explanation on how Betadine helps boost performance. But an abstract published by Advanced Energy Materials explained how an ingredient in the medicine accelerates "the rate-limiting solid-liquid phase transitions … during battery cycling." The findings showed a "subtle but powerful shift in the design of molecular binder systems, which have functional roles above and beyond the role of simply holding the active materials together," per the abstract.
In layman's terms: Betadine makes it better.
And better batteries are key to further electrifying our transportation system. The transition is well underway for EVs, as the International Energy Agency reported battery-powered vehicles comprised nearly one-fifth of sales worldwide in 2023. Tax breaks and recurring fuel savings worth thousands of dollars are incentivizing the switch stateside.
Each EV that replaces a gas guzzler also prevents thousands of pounds of heat-trapping fumes from going airborne each year, as noted by government data. The pollution is linked by medical experts to a variety of human lung, heart, and other health concerns.
At Monash, the team is continuing to search for ways to improve its results. The research is supported by the U.S. Air Force, per the release.
"As demands for high-performance batteries soars, investment in cutting-edge technology will have long-term benefits for job creation and economic growth," Professor Mainak Majumder, co-lead researcher, said.
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