Samsung researchers improve lithium-ion battery capacity

Researchers working for Samsung have found a way to increase the capacity of conventional lithium-ion batteries. They used a silicon anode over which layers of graphene were laid.

The way to generate a higher battery capacity was published by the scientists in the scientific journal Nature Communications. According to the researchers, it is possible to improve the commonly used lithium-ion batteries by using an anode built with silicon. Then layers of graphene have to be placed over it. This then ensures a greater energy capacity, and the battery should also last longer.

Samsung tests show that such a battery has a capacity 1.8 times higher on its first charge cycle than conventional lithium-ion models. This could significantly extend the battery life of devices. By the 200th charge cycle, the extra capacity had decreased to 1.5 times that of a conventional battery.

It is as yet unclear whether and when Samsung thinks it will be able to use the new battery technology in practice. It is still a concept that comes from the labs of the manufacturer, which probably requires a lot of development before it can be used commercially.