Summary/Reader Response Draft 3

Lockett (2022) wrote an article on “How an accidental discovery made this year could change the world” introducing the discovery of a type of battery that could replace the current lithium-ion batteries. This new discovery by Drexel’s team resolves all the flaws of the lithium-ion batteries and also enhanced the previously founded lithium-sulfur batteries. While attempting to slow down the chemical reaction to develop polysulfides, Drexel’s team was shocked to discover one particular chemical phase of sulfur called “monoclinic gamma-phase sulfur” was able to prevent degradation of battery. This chemical phase worked so well that the battery was able to undergo 4000 cycles without decreasing the efficiency of the battery capacity, leading it to last at least twice as long as a lithium-ion battery. In turn, this means that the newly discovered lithium-sulfur batteries are able to generate more electric vehicles which contributes to saving the environment by reducing carbon footprint. Also, it increases the activity of short haul flights, cargo ships, passenger ferries and others that require the use of lithium powered batteries. With the abundance of materials to create more lithium-sulfur batteries available on Earth, a stronger supply chain is ensured, and the ecological impact of mining is significantly reduced. With Drexel’s team new discovery of the new chemical phase that can prevent degradation of battery life, the lithium-ion battery will be replaced by the new lithium-sulfur batteries which will further enhance the efficiency of electricity use, helping the world to reduce carbon footprint and move towards a more eco-friendly society.

Drexel's team new discovery of the new chemical phase of sulfur is a huge step forward to improving the flaws and weaknesses of the lithium-ion batteries. This new chemical phase of sulfur can only be observed in the labs at high temperature, but it was discovered in room temperature during this new discovery therefore, they were in shock (Lockett, 2022). Despite lithium-ion batteries being used since the early '90s, they still have major issues over the years of usage. Firstly, lithium-ion batteries have a lifecycle problem. "The minimum lifespan most manufacturers expect from lithium-ion batteries is around 5 years or at least 2000 charging cycles", if well maintained, it could last for a maximum of 3000 cycles (Lerma, 2019). On the other hand, Drexel's team new discovery of the new chemical phase called monoclinic gamma-phase sulfur resulted in the lithium- sulfur battery stabilizing across 4000 charge to discharge cycles after testing this chemical phase just for one year. In addition, the prototype battery has a capacity which triples the normal capacity of a lithium-ion battery, and the capacity remains pristine (Modern Sciences Team, 2022). In fact, the lithium-sulfur batteries are 3 times as dense as lithium-ion batteries in terms of the energy output and both could charge as rapid (Lockett, 2022). 

The next example is the raw elements to create lithium-ion batteries are mainly cobalt and nickel. Recently, the number of electric vehicles on the road are gradually increasingly and the batteries used are mostly lithium-ion cathode. But cobalt is a material that is considered as a scarce resource over the recent years as there the demand for cobalt has been spiking yet the supply is low. It requires human cost to mine for it, even child laborers are called upon to mine for it, and cobalt is an expensive metal supply chain (Patel, July 2020). While cobalt is a scarce resource, sulfur on the other hand is an element that is easily obtainable as it is the world's tenth most abundant element by mass in the universe and fifth most on Earth (Wikipedia, nd). This shows that sulfur is a cheaper alternative over cobalt as it is a by-product of the oil industry, and it is also proven to be more sustainable (Merrifield, June 2020). Thus, sulfur is a much better option as it eases the problem of using human cost for mining of materials and also reduces the cost of electric vehicles as sulfur is not costly. 

Although the accidental discovery by Drexel's team is remarkable, the research is still incomplete. The scientists are still unsure of how the process came about. Extensive research will still be needed to resolve the questions on the reliability of the battery that can be used in electrical vehicles as well as computers (Lockett, 2022). In turn, more modes of transportation such as cargo vessels and passengers' ferries that requires batteries to provide electricity are able to last longer without changing the batteries and also, using this batteries are safer for the environment and the people around (Lockett, April 2022). Lastly, with the use of this new batteries, it can help to reduce the carbon footprint in the air caused by the battery and keep up with the movement of going into a eco-friendly society.  

In conclusion, this new discovery by Drexel's team will greatly affect the world on a wide scale as with the advanced technology, everything will be powered by electricity. This new technology can further improve the foundation and enable it to be more sustainable while focusing on reducing carbon footprint and moving towards a more eco-friendly world. 

   

References:

Lerma, A. (March 2019). Lithium-ion vs lead acid battery life

https://www.fluxpower.com/blog/lithium-ion-vs.-lead-acid-battery-life#:~:text=The%20minimum%20lifespan%20most%20manufacturers,as%20long%20as%203%2C000%20cycles.&text=lead%20acid%20batteries%2C%20as%20well,span%20in%20terms%20of%20cycles.

Patel, P. (July 2020). Lithium-ion batteries go cobalt free

https://cen.acs.org/energy/energy-storage-/Lithium-ion-batteries-cobalt-free/98/i29

"Gamma sulfur" may hold the key to future lithium-sulfur batteries. (March 2022).

https://modernsciences.org/gamma-sulfur-may-hold-the-key-to-future-lithium-sulfur-batteries/#:~:text=Technically%2C%20this%20rare%20form%20of,temperature%20environments%20in%20laboratory%20settings.

Merrifield, R. (June 2020). Cheaper, lighter and more energy-dense: The promise of lithium-sulphur batteries

https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/horizon-magazine/cheaper-lighter-and-more-energy-dense-promise-lithium-sulphur-batteries

Sulfur. (ND).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfur#:~:text=Sulfur%20(or%20sulphur%20in%20British,crystalline%20solid%20at%20room%20temperature.

Lockett, W. (April 2022). How an accidental discovery made this year could change the world

https://bigthink.com/the-future/lithium-sulfur-batteries/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fs=e&s=cl&fbclid=IwAR1JQ-VrPK4Nt6YauDpwVZrmkeHE1jR0zfHdUdqe1wC5xr4XEabacCNVJLE#Echobox=1658939001-1