At DTU, researcher Mohamad Khoshkalam has invented a material that has the potential to replace lithium in tomorrow’s super battery: solid-state batteries based on potassium and sodium silicates. These are rock silicates, which are some of the most common minerals in the Earth’s crust.
Researcher at DTU have patented a new superionic material based on potassium silicate - a mineral that can be extracted from ordinary rocks. DTU researcher Mohamad Khoshkalam has invented a new material based on rock silicates for a solid-state electrolyte that has the potential to replace lithium in future electric car batteries.
In 10 years, solid-state batteries made from rock silicates will be an environmentally friendly, more efficient and safer alternative to the lithium-ion batteries we use today. Researcher at DTU have patented a new superionic material based on potassium silicate - a mineral that can be extracted from ordinary rocks.
The material is primarily composed of elements found in rocks, specifically potassium and sodium silicates, which are some of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust. Additionally, it eliminates the need for expensive metals like cobalt, which are currently required for decent lithium-ion battery capacity and longevity.
Huge phosphate deposits discovered in southwestern Norway could be large enough to supply electric vehicles, solar panels and fertiliser for at least 50 years. The valuable ore was discovered in 2018 by Norge Mining, who revealed in May that they’d found 70 billion tonnes of the material.
Both researchers and electric car manufacturers consider solid-state batteries to be the super battery of the future. Most recently, Toyota has announced that they expect to launch an electric car with a lithium solid-state battery in 2027-28.