Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed batteries with enhanced energy density through a new study. Utilizing a machine learning model and employing amorphous materials as positive electrodes, the team, led by Gopalakrishnan, focused on improving magnesium battery performance. While magnesium batteries possess the potential for nearly twice the energy transfer per atom compared to lithium, their practical application has been limited by the slow movement of magnesium ions within electrode materials. The study revealed that using an amorphous form of vanadium pentoxide dramatically increased the rate of magnesium ion movement by approximately five orders of magnitude compared to crystalline counterparts, thereby significantly boosting the rate of energy transfer in these batteries.
Source: www.thehindu.com