First ever potassium-ion 18650 battery unveiled, outperforms Li-ion counterparts and is cobalt-free
At the 14th annual Beyond Lithium Conference held at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, battery tech startup Group1 has unveiled the world’s first potassium-ion battery (aka KIB) in an 18650 form factor. By packaging its innovative and higher-performing KIB technology in the most widely used cell format, the company pitches KIB as a viable alternative to current lithium-based designs which, despite their popularity, are not without their drawbacks.
Compared to Li-ion batteries that use lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) as the cathode material, and sodium-ion batteries (NIB), the new KIB design offers very similar energy density (both volume- and weight-wise). However, in other key areas like fast charging capability, safety, number of charge cycles and low-temperature performance, it easily surpasses LFP-based batteries, and is more economical to boot.
This is thanks to Group1’s specially engineered cathode material, Potassium Prussian White (or KPW), which was first developed in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor JB Goodenough – also the birthplace of lithium ion batteries.
The product’s sustainability credentials are equally impressive. Unlike some Li-ion batteries that use nickel-manganese-cobalt oxides (NMC), it uses readily available raw materials, and is free of critical minerals like cobalt, nickel, copper and lithium, whose supply chains are vulnerable to disruption. Cobalt is also highly controversial on account of being unethically and unsustainably sourced, not to mention toxic.
KIBs are also compatible with existing manufacturing setups as they use industry-standard graphite anodes, separators and electrolytes (sodium-ion batteries are incompatible with graphite). Like LIPs, they output 3.7 V, so compatibility is not an issue.
The cylindrical 18650 cell format is perhaps the most common one in the world, appearing in everything from flashlights and power-banks to laptops and EVs, including the likes of the Tesla Model X and Model S. The name derives from its dimensions, measuring at 18 mm (0.71 inches) in diameter and 65 mm (2.56 inches) in length.
The new 18650 KIBs are not yet commercially available, but Group1 is “distributing samples to [its] partners among Tier 1 OEMs and cell manufacturers”, in order to promote widespread adoption.
Meanwhile, this well-reviewed 4-pack of Li-ion 18650's with battery charger set should serve your 18650 needs well. You can also get Nitecore's UMS2 intelligent USB quick charger which can charge a wide variety of rechargeable batteries.
Source(s)
Group1 via PR Newswire
