Shiv Nadar University and IIT Bombay develop affordable Li-S batteries

In a bid to revolutionize the entire Electronics industry – electric vehicles (EVs), tech gadgets, drones, consumer electronics, and others - Shiv Nadar University and IIT Bombay have jointly developed affordable lithium-sulphur batteries. The lithium batteries are not only cost-effective but are three times more efficient than the ones that are used currently. The eco-friendly lithium-sulphur batteries have been manufactured by researchers at Shiv Nadar University and IIT Bombay, which use lithium-sulphur (Li-S) rather than lithium-ion, which is generally used in most of the EVs.

The research team has remarked that the Li-S batteries are made keeping in view the fundamentals of green chemistry, which means that the chemical products are designed as such that they decrease or obliterate the generation of toxic substances. Sulphur, the by-product from the petroleum industry is used with the agricultural waste elements and copolymers (like cardanol and eugenol) as cathodic materials.

Many multi-billion dollar industries depend on such cost-efficient and economical batteries and the development of Li-S batteries is a sure sign of the potential of technology to help the industries of electric vehicles (EVs), tech gadgets, drones, consumer electronics, and others.

Bimlesh Lochab who is the Associate Professor at Shiv Nadar University has remarked that the research aims at addressing the requirements of industries and the environment, both at the same time. The safer technology they developed which promises the adoption of battery-led energy, she said, has the potential of three times more energy density. The lithium-ion batteries are inefficient as far as the energy storage, the weight and cost, the manner of its recyclability and proneness to combustion is concerned. On the other hand, the Li-S batteries are friendly with the environment, made out of non-toxic materials. The Eugenol copolymer is innovatively used in these batteries that reduces its combustible propensity, is halogen-free and flame-retardant, she added.

Shiv Nadar University’s research team headed by Lochab has partnered with Sagar Mitra, who is a Professor in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay. BoLith teams shall together research and develop a Li-S battery prototype. The new Li-S battery synthesizes a bio-based molecule which is known to be capable of being produced commercially.

The research by both teams of Shiv Nadar University and IIT Bombay is focused on exploring newer kinds of cathode for the lithium-sulphur batteries, so that it can be helpful in more progressive ways, reaching better completion and performance intensities.

To know more about the new developments in science and technology, you can also read -