Air-powered batteries could change the future of technology

Batteries have a bright future because the ones already operating on the horizon are based on zinc and air. Batteries could replace lithium-ion batteries because they are more durable and lighter.

One of the drawbacks that pull electric cars down is the autonomy of the best batteries in the present. An American company produces another type of battery that could revolutionize the energy field.

By 2025, most electric vehicles could operate with zinc-air batteries produced by NantEnergy, a manufacturer that has a completely different view of energy sources. Zinc-air batteries could be the solution for the future for all cars and electronics that need an efficient rechargeable power source. Zinc-air batteries could allow thousands of recharges, as opposed to lithium-ion batteries that have an average of hundreds of charges.

The advantage of NantEnergy batteries is that they use electricity to convert zinc oxide from zinc to oxygen to generate electrons. In addition, zinc would have the property of remaining electrically charged longer than lithium. During the discharge process, the battery converts zinc-stored electro-chemical energy also by oxidizing zinc with oxygen in the air, generating electricity for the device.

The owner of the company is Chinese-born American Soon-Shiong (66), who also owns the Los Angeles Times daily. The company is investing billions of dollars in technology and energy, also focusing on renewable energy sources, such as photo-voltaic panels (some have arrived even in Africa).

There are, of course, weak points for these batteries. The most obvious disadvantages were imposed by the feasibility of their manufacture and loading issues. In addition, since zinc batteries rely on air in the atmosphere, they can be damaged by dirty or contaminated air. Therefore, they are even more vulnerable to pollution than we are, as beings.

However, zinc-air batteries can be lighter than the rest (a feature that is a real plus in phone technology) and, unlike other types of batteries, have only one pole. Looking at this new source of batteries I must say that I am glad to see this industry evolving and looking for the next big thing. Is clear that we are pushing the current Lithium-Ion batteries and we need something batter for the future. And electricity is the next big thing that will fuel the entire world!