National Renewable Energy Laboratory Makes Breakthrough in Magnesium-Ion Battery Development

Scientists at the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, CO recently had what the NREL is calling a “breakthrough” in developing a magnesium-ion powered battery. Experimental prototypes have shown that magnesium-powered batteries can store up to twice as much electricity as lithium-ion batteries, which is what is currently available.

Alternatives to lithium-ion batteries are being sought for a variety of reasons. As battery-powered electric vehicles and the cultivation of clean energy sources continue to rise in popularity, the race is on to find a more efficient storage system for this energy. Batteries powered by sources such as magnesium-ion that are cheaper to manufacture and can store more energy might just be the answer. In addition, the majority of lithium-ion batteries come from Asia. Magnesium-powered batteries produced in the U.S. would be a major boost for American jobs.

For more information on the NREL’s work with magnesium-ion batteries, click here: https://www.nrel.gov/news/press/2018/nrel-research-overcomes-major-technical-obstacles-in-magnesium-metal-batteries.html