Scientists develop safer batteries

WASHINGTON - Scientists have taken a big step toward developing practical applications for a type of lithium-ion battery that, unlike conventional ones, uses a water-salt solution as its electrolyte to prevent fire and explosion hazards, a study published on Sept 6 says.

Researchers at the University of Maryland and the US Army Research Laboratory have created such a safe battery that reaches the 4-volt mark desired for household electronics, such as laptops, they reported in Joule, Cell Press' new interdisciplinary energy journal.

"In the past, if you wanted high energy, you would choose a non-aqueous lithium-ion battery, but you would have to compromise on safety," says senior co-author Kang Xu, a lab fellow at the US Army Research Laboratory specializing in electrochemistry and materials science.