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New Delhi: A major breakthrough has emerged in the field of battery technology. Chinese scientists claim to have developed a new sodium metal battery that can fully charge in just four minutes. The researchers say this battery is capable of fast charging and retains its capacity for a long time. However, this technology is still in its early research stages and may take some time to reach general consumers.

Which batteries are used in smartphones? 

Today, lithium-ion batteries are the primary battery used in smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles worldwide. However, due to the limited availability and rising prices of lithium, scientists have long been searching for a cheaper and safer alternative. Sodium-based batteries are considered a promising technology for the future.

Sodium will be used instead of lithium 

According to new research, this battery uses sodium instead of lithium, which is readily available and relatively inexpensive. Scientists have developed a special quasi-solid gel electrolyte that prevents the formation of dendrites within the battery. Dendrites are sharp metal particles that can cause short circuits and battery failure.

will charge faster 

The researchers claim that this technology not only makes the battery charge faster but also safer. In lab tests, the battery successfully operated for thousands of hours without a single short circuit. It retained approximately 90 percent of its capacity even after nearly 2,000 charging cycles.

However, experts say this technology isn’t ready to replace lithium-ion batteries. Its energy density is still lower than traditional lithium batteries, so it may take some time before it becomes available in smartphones and long-range electric vehicles.

When will these batteries be available in the market? 

Currently, this technology is limited to research laboratories. Scientists believe that it will only be possible to bring it to the market after large-scale production, testing in various climates, and meeting safety standards. If further trials are successful, this technology could bring about major changes in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and many other fields in the coming years.