Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and Microsoft have found a new solid-state electrolyte, a material that could lead to safer and more efficient batteries. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing, the collaboration between PNNL and Microsoft has accelerated the search for advanced battery materials.
Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, which are known to be prone to overheating and bursting into flames, the new solid-state electrolyte offers increased safety. It also requires less lithium, an element that is becoming increasingly scarce due to the high demand for rechargeable electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
The breakthrough is just the beginning of the researchers’ quest to discover even better battery materials. They utilized Microsoft’s Azure Quantum Elements platform, which combines AI and high-performance computing capabilities, to explore millions of potential candidates. Narrowing down the options to 23, the researchers identified five previously known materials and one particularly promising new material.
While the discovery shows great potential, further testing and optimization are required before the material is ready for commercial use. The new electrolyte combines lithium and sodium, with the latter making up as much as 70 percent of the material. This significant reduction in sodium usage could have a positive impact on battery manufacturing and sustainability.
One of the challenges faced in the development of solid-state batteries is their lower energy-conducting capabilities compared to liquid electrolyte batteries. Researchers are actively working to enhance the conductivity of the new material to unlock its full potential.
This breakthrough in battery material discovery highlights the power of AI and high-performance computing in accelerating scientific research. However, it is important to note that increased computing power also comes with a growing environmental impact. To achieve a truly sustainable future, efforts should be made to improve energy efficiency in computing and power data centers using clean energy sources.
As Krysta Svore, leader of the Microsoft Quantum – Redmond (QuArC) group, emphasizes, the combination of AI and high-performance computing is crucial in compressing decades of scientific discovery into just a few years. This rapid progress is necessary to address the urgent need for next-generation batteries and mitigate the environmental impact of traditional power sources.
The source of the article is from the blog agogs.sk