Glass may be one of the most overlooked materials when it comes to battery innovation — but new research from Denmark suggests it could play a key role in the next generation of energy storage.
A team of researchers from Aalborg University has discovered a promising way to improve solid-state batteries, a breakthrough that could revolutionize energy storage by making batteries more efficient, safer, and environmentally friendly.
Solid-state batteries have long been considered the future of battery technology. They have the potential to store more energy, offer greater safety, and last longer than traditional lithium-ion batteries.
However, a major challenge has been the inefficient movement of ions within the battery.
Now, researchers from Aalborg University have found a solution: using glass in the battery’s electrolyte.
According to Science, this approach creates a unique balance of order and disorder at the atomic level, allowing ions to move faster and more efficiently.
The Missing Piece in Battery Technology?
The study reveals that combining glass and a crystalline structure in the electrolyte can significantly enhance energy transfer.
Professor Morten Mattrup Smedskjær from Aalborg University explains that this breakthrough could make solid-state batteries practical for real-world use, not just theoretical models.
“We wanted to understand the mechanisms behind it in order to design better batteries,” Smedskjær said, as cited by Trend.
If this technology continues to develop, it could lead to batteries that last longer, carge faster, and offer greater safety.
This would have huge implications for industries such as electric vehicles, smartphones, and consumer electronics.
However, further research is needed before this technology becomes commercially available.
