NTHU
16.8.2021 11:02:07 CEST | Business Wire | Press release
Due to their high energy density and low cost, metal-air batteries are one of the most promising power sources of the future. A joint Tsinghua-Liverpool research team has recently developed a new charge storage mechanism that allows rechargeability within calcium-air batteries - a major step forward in battery technology.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210816005031/en/
This discovery has been published in Chemical Science . The lead author of the paper, Yi-Ting Lu, is a joint doctoral student at Tsinghua and Liverpool, whose supervisors are Prof. Chi-Chang Hu (Department of Chemical Engineering, NTHU) and Prof. Laurence Hardwick (Department of Chemistry, UoL).
A major breakthrough related to Ca-air batteries
Prof. Hu said conventional lithium-ion batteries have a limited practical capacity. Thereby many researchers are working on developing alternative battery technologies. Their focus is on metal-air batteries based on zinc, lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and aluminum. The advantage of the calcium-air battery is its high specific energy—five times that of traditional lithium-ion batteries. However, the feasibility of calcium-air batteries remains hampered by one major drawback—it cannot be recharged.
Lu explained that metal-air batteries are electrochemical cells usually using an active metal as the negative electrode, and a porous carbon material in contact with the air as the positive electrode. When the metal oxidized the oxygen at the positive electrode is reduced, generating electric current.
After completing his first year of doctoral studies at NTHU, Lu enrolled at the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy at UoL in September 2018. Under the supervision of Prof. Hardwick, he began doing research on the electrolyte used in calcium-air batteries.
Lu found when a single electrode is repeatedly charged and discharged, initially no reversibility can be observed, but after a few dozen cycles it gradually displays some reversibility. Surprisingly, the result seemed completely different from those in literature. The research team conducted a series of experiments aimed at uncovering the mechanism behind this phenomenon. On the electrode surface, the discharge products form a calcium oxide (Cax Oy ) interlayer, where the discharge product of oxygen, known as superoxide, is confined, allowing the superoxide to be then readily oxidized. This suggests the oxygen could probably be repeatedly oxidized/reduced, so that the cell can be continuously discharged/recharged.
Dr. Alex Neale, a Liverpool postdoctoral researcher, who is also part of the research team, said that through systematic electrochemical and spectroscopy investigations, the team began to understand the origins of this charge storage mechanism that facilitates a previously unseen degree of reversibility for systems based on the calcium-air battery.
Prof. Hardwick said the team will focus on designing new battery systems that use this newly discovered charge storage mechanism. He added that it was the cooperative research that made their discovery possible, and there are plans for even closer cooperation between NTHU and UoL in the future.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210816005031/en/
Social Media:
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Venture Global Launches First Advertising Campaign: “Unstoppable Energy”23.3.2026 11:30:00 CET | Press release
New ad campaign narrated by Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton will air nationally in the U.S. Today, Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE: VG) is launching its first national advertising campaign – “Unstoppable Energy”. The seven-figure, year-long campaign includes national and local broadcast television spots, as well as out-of-home, print, and digital ad placements. The company is proud to have Academy-Award winner Billy Bob Thornton as the campaign voiceover. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260323692879/en/ “Venture Global is excited to unveil our very first national advertising campaign, featuring the accomplished Billy Bob Thornton as its voice,” said Venture Global CEO Mike Sabel. “The Unstoppable Energy campaign portrays the roll-up-your-sleeves tenacity and innovation that drives our company every day. We are proud to introduce the ethos and story of the Venture Global brand across the U.S. as we grow into
Venture Global and Vitol Announce New LNG Purchase Agreement23.3.2026 11:00:00 CET | Press release
Today, Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE: VG) and Vitol announced the execution of a new, binding agreement for the purchase of approximately 1.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Venture Global for five years commencing in 2026, to be supplied from Venture Global’s portfolio. “Global demand for flexible, reliable U.S. LNG is rapidly growing, and Venture Global is proud to work with premier LNG trading companies like Vitol to provide this critical supply to the market,” said Venture Global CEO Mike Sabel. “Thanks to our innovative model, we have the ability to provide our customers with short, medium, and long-term LNG supply, and this agreement is another important step in diversifying the tenor of our LNG portfolio.” “Vitol is delighted to be working with Venture Global, a leading producer and supplier of LNG to world markets,” said Pablo Galante Escobar, Global Head of LNG at Vitol. “LNG is important to many economies worldwide. Through this transacti
RSA Launches ID Plus Sovereign Deployment: The Next Level of High Assurance Identity Security23.3.2026 11:00:00 CET | Press release
New “Deploy Anywhere” Solution Sets Industry Standard for Security, Availability, and Compliance Across Critical Sectors Today at RSAC Conference 2026, RSA, the security-first identity leader, announced the launch of RSA® ID Plus Sovereign Deployment, a groundbreaking evolution in high assurance identity solutions designed to meet the needs of organizations that must maintain constant availability, meet policy and data sovereignty laws, and defend themselves from advanced, persistent threats. RSA ID Plus Sovereign Deployment is the next evolution in RSA® ID Plus, the market’s most secure identity and access management (IAM) security platform featuring complete multi-factor authentication (MFA), SSO, and access capabilities. RSA ID Plus Sovereign Deployment features a new “deploy anywhere” capability that allows government agencies, financial services, critical infrastructure, and healthcare organizations to modernize their identity infrastructure while still maintaining the highest sta
Klarna Expands Its Partnership With H&M in Romania and Hungary23.3.2026 10:46:00 CET | Press release
Today Klarna announces that H&M customers can now choose flexible Klarna payment options at checkout. The expansion comes amid Klarna's rapid growth in Romania, where the global digital bank and flexible payments provider has surpassed 500,000 active users. Klarna, a global digital bank and provider of flexible payment solutions, and H&M, one of the world's largest fashion retailers, announce the expansion of their partnership in Romania and Hungary as a strategic step that strengthens the long-standing global collaboration between the two companies. Klarna is now available as a payment method for H&M customers in both markets, offering a smooth, more predictable checkout experience and payment options tailored to the different needs of shoppers. The integration of Klarna into H&M online stores is an important feature for customers, who will thus be able to access interest-free flexible payment options. More flexibility at checkout By integrating Klarna into the payment process, H&M cu
Recyclable Packaging and Responsible Water Management: Barilla’s Commitment to a More Sustainable Future23.3.2026 10:30:00 CET | Press release
99.8% of the packaging sold is designed to be recyclable.Over 50% of the materials used in Barilla Group’s packaging are recycled, and 71% are paper-based.+45% water recycled and reused in 2024 compared to 2022, and +164% in water-stressed areas. With 99.8% of the packaging designed to be recyclable and a 45% increase in water recycled and reused in 2024 compared to 2022, Barilla continues to strengthen its commitment to the responsible management of resources. The company is reaffirming this commitment on the occasion of Global Recycling Day (March 18) and World Water Day (March 22), two moments that highlight the importance of increasingly sustainable production models – from efficient water management to the design of more circular packaging solutions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260320294356/en/ Barilla Group's Rubbiano Plant (PR) WATER AS A STRATEGIC RESOURCE TO PROTECT A fundamental resource for past
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom