Over the decades the world has witnessed prodigious growth in industrialization and urbanization. Machines or technology play a crucial role in our life. Many of the technological or industrial advancements pose some threats to nature thereby risks human life. The increase in GHG emissions by countries all around the world has compelled the business to innovate on ecofriendly products. The growing electric vehicle market is one such initiative to protect our environment.
Electric vehicles have to compete with traditional fuel motor vehicles. Hence it has to come up with highly advanced and efficient technology for better performance. An Australian company, Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) partnered with the University of Queensland invented graphene aluminium-ion batteries which resemble lithium batteries in shape but can charge up to 60 times faster than the former, offering the best electric mobility. These batteries are hybrid battery superconductors that have 3 times more energy back up, durable, safer, and less environmental impact in comparison to traditional batteries.
GMG has planned to introduce automotive pouch cells at the beginning of 2024 and graphene aluminium-ion coin cells in the market at the end of this year or the beginning of the next year. The company produces batteries using its production process that manufactures GMG graphene from methane and not from mined graphite; therefore it is the best quality, flexible, low poisonous, and can be produced at low costs. The battery can be used commercially to produce batteries for phones, watches, laptops and utilized for grid storage.
Further studies are continuing in the new technology and an agreement for a license has been entered between GMG and the University of Queensland for commercialization. Product testing is expected to take place at the end of 2021. The company announced that they develop graphene aluminium-ion cells in April along with the University of Queensland.
According to Dr. Ashok Nanjundan (GMG’s Chief Scientific Officer), the distinguishing feature of these batteries is that they have an increased power density of up to 7,000 watts/kg which quips them to offer a high charge rate i.e., up to 22 to 60 times faster than traditional batteries. Additionally, the best advantages of new technologically produced batteries are that they have long battery life, recyclable, and less explosive.
