The battery generates electricity through the air

Scottish scientists have successfully built the world's first battery capable of generating electricity from oxygen.

A Lithium-ion battery for cars.Photo: thecarconnection.com.

Telegraph said the new battery is called STAIR. It was the invention of researchers in the Department of Chemistry of St Andrews University in Scotland.

Most mobile phones, laptops and digital devices now use lithium-ion batteries. Lithium cobalt oxide compound (LiCoO ₂ ) is often used to make an anode of Lithium-Ion batteries. During battery manufacturing, the University of St Andrews team replaced LiCoO ₂ with porous carbon.

The STAIR battery recharges in the traditional way, but during battery discharge it drains oxygen from the surrounding air. Oxygen reacts with porous carbon inside the battery and generates electricity. Thus, the amount of electricity in the battery is continuously supplemented during the discharge process.

Carbon is much lighter than LiCoO ₂ , so STAIR will be much lighter than traditional batteries. In addition, because the air continuously increases the battery's power when it is discharged, the STAIR will be able to charge up to 10 times higher than other batteries of similar size.

'STAIR has many benefits. This battery is smaller and lighter so it is suitable for small devices. It is very useful for electric vehicle manufacturers because they always try to reduce the vehicle volume to the lowest possible level, ' said Professor Peter Bruce, the research leader.

In addition, Bruce said that STAIR could lay the foundation for the birth of a new generation of laptops, mobile phones and electric cars.