Tag: Lithium ion batteries

Over 70% of the world's cobalt supply originates from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), creating a highly concentrated and geopolitically sensitive market. This reality, coupled with cobalt’s indispensable properties in modern applications, forces the urgent question: is cobalt essential?

The human body contains only about 1 milligram of cobalt, an essential trace element most notably found as a key component of vitamin B12. However, outside of human nutrition, this element is highly concentrated in various minerals and industrial products, including the batteries powering modern electronics and electric vehicles.

According to research by QuantumScape, improved energy density could lead to electric vehicles with significantly longer ranges and lighter consumer electronics. The fundamental question, "what does energy density do?" is central to innovations in batteries and fuels, dictating everything from a smartphone's battery life to an EV's travel distance.

According to Battery University, liquid electrolytes serve as a catalyst, promoting the movement of ions from the cathode to the anode during charging and reversing the process on discharge. Understanding the advantages of liquid electrolytes is crucial for appreciating their widespread use and performance in batteries for consumer electronics and electric vehicles.