IBM's New Battery Design Taps Seawater as Alternative Mineral Source
December 19, 2019 | ReutersEstimated reading time: 1 minute
International Business Machines Corp said on Wednesday it has created a battery design that uses materials extracted from seawater and requires no cobalt, as the race to find alternative sources to the expensive mineral intensifies.
IBM said it has partnered with the research wing of Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz, battery electrolyte supplier Central Glass and battery manufacturer Sidus for the commercial development of the new design.
“The goal would be, within a year or so, to have the first working prototype (of the battery),” said Jeff Welser, vice president at IBM Research.
IBM may not necessarily end up making a product using the design, Welser added.
The move comes as top battery makers scramble to reduce cobalt content in lithium-ion batteries, and as the expansion of the electric vehicle market is expected to result in shortages of the mineral mainly found in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
IBM said its technology has proven to outperform lithium-ion batteries in cost, charging time and energy efficiency.
The company also said it is partnering with the University of Tokyo on an initiative to advance quantum computing by developing the first practical application of the technology.
Under the agreement, an IBM Q System One, the company’s quantum computing system designed for scientific use, will be installed in an IBM facility in Japan—the first such installation in the region. The company is competing with Alphabet Inc’s Google and Microsoft Corp to be the first to commercialize quantum technology, which could fuel advancement in fields like artificial intelligence and chemistry within a few years.
Suggested Items
Boeing Opens Research & Technology Center in Japan
04/23/2024 | BoeingBoeing today opened a Boeing Research & Technology (BR&T) Center in Japan that will focus on innovation to enable the commercial aviation industry meet its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Schweizer Electronic Appoints Thomas Gottwald as New Member of the Executive Board
04/23/2024 | Schweizer Electronic AGThe Supervisory Board of Schweizer Electronic AG has appointed Mr. Thomas Gottwald to the Executive Board as CTO (Chief Technology Officer) for a period of 3 years with effect from 1 May 2024.
US Department of Defense Selects Intel Foundry for Phase Three of RAMP-C
04/23/2024 | IntelThe U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded Intel Foundry Phase Three of its Rapid Assured Microelectronics Prototypes - Commercial (RAMP-C) program.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Industrial Quality Solutions from Zeiss
04/23/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOEditor Nolan Johnson and Herminso Gomez of Zeiss Group discuss the company's industrial quality solutions, with a focus on X-ray technology. Zeiss provides a range of microscopy options and Herminso highlights the advantages of X-ray technology for aerospace, medical, and consumer electronics sectors.
AIM Solder’s Dillon Zhu to Present on Ultraminiature Soldering at SMTA China East
04/22/2024 | AIMAIM Solder, a leading global manufacturer of solder assembly materials for the electronics industry, is pleased to announce that Dillon Zhu will present on the topic: Ultraminiature Soldering: Techniques, Technologies, and Standards at SMTA China East. This event is being held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center from April 24-25.