Group1 has released the world’s first potassium-ion battery in the widely used cylindrical 18650 form factor. The new product was unveiled at the 14th annual Beyond Lithium conference and could be an important step towards creating stable and cost-effective alternatives to conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Image source: Group1
Potassium-ion batteries of the 18650 format belong to the category of rechargeable batteries. They use potassium ions as a charge carrier, while lithium ions play this role in lithium-ion analogues. In addition to this, the presented product is made in the same form factor as the widely used lithium-ion batteries – 18 mm in diameter and 65 mm in length.
The company noted that the innovative potassium-ion battery was the result of many years of research and development. The impressive performance of the presented power source deserves special attention. During a series of tests, it was found that it not only met, but also exceeded the expectations of the researchers.
The report said the battery demonstrated outstanding durability, which means it can withstand multiple charge/discharge cycles before its capacity drops significantly. This feature is critical for a variety of applications, including electric vehicles, where battery durability is critical. The potassium-ion battery also demonstrated high energy density.
The potassium-ion battery operates at a stable voltage of 3.7 V, which means it can be used in modern electronic devices. It also shows a tendency to achieve a gravimetric energy density of 160-180 Wh/kg, which is similar to that of lithium iron phosphate batteries. The high storage density indicates that the battery can store a significant amount of energy relative to its mass. This makes the potassium-ion battery suitable for use in segments where high performance is required, such as electric vehicles and portable electronics.
Interestingly, the decision to create a potassium-ion battery in the 18650 format is strategic. Since 18650 batteries are widely used, the potassium-ion analogue will be compatible with a large number of modern devices. Group1 is confident that the potassium-ion battery can become a worthy replacement for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries.
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