The invention of a new battery contains five times more energy than a lithium-ion battery

Scientists have successfully developed an experimental battery whose design is inspired by . human gut. Surprisingly, its biological structure could pave the way for a much stronger source of energy than it is now.

This lithium-sulfur battery can hold up to five times more energy than the regular lithium-ion batteries found in our phones and laptops. Its human-like design can make this battery have a high enough lifespan to be used for commercial purposes.

The research team from Cambridge University has overcome one of the biggest weaknesses of lithium-sulfur batteries, which are extremely fast degradation , although its energy density is extremely high.

Test batteries use lithium-sulfur.

When a lithium-sulfur battery discharges electricity, sulfur in the anode draws lithium from the cathode. This makes sea-sulfur molecules change into a chain of constructions called poly-sulphide.

After the discharge-and-charge cycle occurred several times, continuous chemical reactions caused the anode to be under heavy pressure, leading to broken poly-sulphide structures, spilling into the battery electrolyte. . This makes the two poles of the battery bond together.

And obviously then the battery will fail, it loses parts of the energy storage material. But that's when the gut-like design becomes effective.

The research team has developed a very light material with a nanostructure that carries the design of microscopic hairs in the human gut.

In the human body, our intestines contain millions of microscopic hairs. From the intestinal wall, they come out and help us absorb nutrients from absorbed food.

Inspired by the human digestive system, the research team developed a very light material with a nanostructured design of microscopic fuzz in the human gut. Thanks to them, the poly-dams when broken will not be able to spill into the electrolyte, instead they are held back by the fluff reaching out.

The layer of this gut-like structure is made of ultra-small zinc oxide fears, completely covering the electrolyte surface of the battery. These wires can effectively prevent degradation of lithium-sulfur batteries.

These wires can effectively prevent degradation of lithium-sulfur batteries.

"This compartment is extremely tiny but extremely important," said Paul Coxon, a scientist at Cambridge University. "It takes us very far in the process of developing a more modern battery."

Lithium-sulfur batteries have been researched and developed for many years, but it fails so quickly that it is impossible to commercialize this type of battery. But now, thanks to the zinc oxide that acts like human goose, we most likely have a battery that is both strong and durable.

"By taking inspiration from this natural world, we have created a solution to solve the problem that can completely change the face of the next generation of batteries , " said researcher Teng Zhao.

During the test, nanostructures made the battery lose only 0.05% of its capacity after each charge, try with 200 charging cycles. That makes this lithium-sulfur battery stable near the lithium-ion battery, with a reduced capacity of 0.025 to 0.048% for each charge.

Thanks to the zinc oxide that acts like human intestine, we most likely have a battery that is both strong and durable.

Scientists still know that this prototype battery is still theoretical and has not been developed to perfection. Perhaps we still have to ask for years to see that lithium-sulfur batteries fit into all of our electronic devices.

But there is no reason to be discouraged, see how much technology has taken in many years. It is possible that those "years" are only 2 or 3 years ahead, science is slow but it is still moving forward day by day, we still have a basis to believe in a future of advanced batteries.