Design Summary: Lithium Sulfur Battery summary (draft 1)

The article "How an accidental discovery could change the world" by Lockett (2022, April 15) explains that an accidental discovery of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries could possibly change the way we power the world. Scientists have been sourcing for the perfect technology to power everything in our modern lifestyles, from your phones, electrical cars, and even satellites. The go-to solution has always been lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. Lockett's article states that Li-ion batteries have degradation issues. Li-ion batteries can lose their capacity via repetitive charges and is most notably in electrical vehicles(EVs) and cell phones. On the other hand, Li-S batteries are able to stop battery degradation by entering a chemical phase called monoclinic gamma-phase sulfur. In this state, it stops polysulfides; crystals that form from repetitive charging which causes the loss of capacity, from forming. Without polysulfides, the batteries can last up to 4000 charges without a drop in capacity, twice as long compared to Li-ion batteries. However, this state has only been observed in the labs at high temperatures (95°C), hence more research has to be done. With longer lifespan batteries, EVs will become more efficient and commercially available and we can possibly go full electric in the near future. Lithium-sulfur batteries could be the solution to powering our modern lifestyles in the future.

References 

William Lockett. (April 2022) An accidental discovery could change the world. Freethink

https://www.freethink.com/environment/lithium-sulfur-battery