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Scientists Discover Way to Send Information into Black Holes Without Using Energy

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This New Battery Stores Double the Energy and Can Turn Seawater into Drinking Water!

A groundbreaking discovery could transform energy storage and water purification worldwide. Scientists at the University of Surrey have developed a new type of sodium-ion battery that not only stores almost twice as much energy as conventional designs but can also desalinate seawater while operating. This breakthrough could make sodium-ion batteries a real competitor to lithium-ion systems, all while being safer, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly.

Why Sodium-Ion Batteries Matter

Lithium-ion batteries dominate today’s energy storage market, powering everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. However, lithium comes with high costs, limited supply, and environmental concerns. Mining lithium can damage ecosystems, and the scarcity of materials like cobalt and nickel can make large-scale production expensive.

Sodium, on the other hand, is abundant, inexpensive, and widely accessible, making it an ideal candidate for next-generation batteries. But until now, sodium-ion batteries have struggled to match the performance of lithium-ion systems, especially in terms of energy density, charging speed, and stability over many cycles.

The Surprising Role of Water

Traditionally, water is removed from battery materials because it was thought to harm performance. But the Surrey research team challenged this assumption. By keeping water inside a key battery material, they discovered that the battery’s performance dramatically improved.

The material in question is sodium vanadium oxide, a well-known sodium-based compound. In its hydrated form, called nanostructured sodium vanadate hydrate (NVOH), it showed remarkable improvements:

  • Nearly double the energy storage compared to standard sodium-ion cathodes.

  • Faster charging, allowing batteries to recharge in less time.

  • Exceptional stability, maintaining strong performance over more than 400 charge cycles.

Dr. Daniel Commandeur, Research Fellow at the University of Surrey School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, said:

"Our results were completely unexpected. Sodium vanadium oxide has been around for years, and people usually heat-treat it to remove the water because it's thought to cause problems. We decided to challenge that assumption, and the outcome was far better than we anticipated. The material showed much stronger performance and stability than expected and could even create exciting new possibilities for how these batteries are used in the future."

Seawater as a Battery Electrolyte

One of the most exciting aspects of this discovery is that the hydrated material can operate effectively in saltwater, which is usually very challenging for batteries. Even more impressively, the battery actively removes sodium ions from seawater while a graphite electrode extracts chloride ions in a process called electrochemical desalination.

In simple terms, this means the battery can store energy and purify water at the same time. Dr. Commandeur explained:

"Being able to use sodium vanadate hydrate in salt water is a really exciting discovery, as it shows sodium-ion batteries could do more than just store energy -- they could also help remove salt from water. In the long term, that means we might be able to design systems that use seawater as a completely safe, free and abundant electrolyte, while also producing fresh water as part of the process."

This dual functionality could revolutionize both energy and water infrastructure, particularly in regions where access to fresh water is limited and renewable energy sources like solar and wind are abundant.

Advantages Over Lithium-Ion Technology

The new sodium-ion battery offers several advantages over traditional lithium-ion systems:

  1. Abundant and Low-Cost Materials – Sodium is much more common than lithium, making batteries cheaper and more sustainable.

  2. Environmental Safety – Reduced reliance on mining for rare metals lowers the environmental footprint.

  3. High Energy Density – Nearly double the energy storage of standard sodium-ion cathodes.

  4. Faster Charging – Hydrated sodium vanadate enables rapid charging without compromising stability.

  5. Durability – Maintains performance over hundreds of cycles, making it ideal for long-term use.

  6. Seawater Compatibility – Can operate in saltwater and even produce fresh water through electrochemical desalination.

Potential Applications

The impact of this discovery is far-reaching. Some potential applications include:

  • Large-Scale Renewable Energy Storage: Solar and wind power could be stored efficiently using low-cost, high-performance sodium-ion batteries.

  • Electric Vehicles: The faster charging and high energy density could make sodium-ion batteries a viable alternative for EVs, reducing reliance on lithium.

  • Water Purification Systems: Battery systems could be deployed in coastal areas to generate clean water from seawater while simultaneously storing energy.

  • Off-Grid Energy Solutions: Remote communities could benefit from low-cost, durable, and multi-functional energy storage solutions.

By simplifying battery production and enhancing performance, the Surrey team’s discovery brings commercially viable sodium-ion batteries closer to reality. This could accelerate the transition to clean, sustainable, and affordable energy storage systems worldwide.

A Step Toward Sustainable Energy

The development of hydrated sodium vanadate batteries is a major step forward in energy technology. By leveraging water instead of removing it, scientists have not only boosted energy storage but also opened the door to innovative dual-function batteries that can simultaneously address energy and water challenges.

As the global demand for renewable energy and fresh water continues to rise, breakthroughs like this highlight the importance of creative thinking in materials science. A simple change—keeping water in the battery material—has transformed an existing compound into a high-performance, environmentally friendly, and versatile solution for the future.

The Road Ahead

While further research and scaling are needed, the implications are clear. Sodium-ion batteries could soon become a safer, cheaper, and more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion technology. Their ability to function in seawater and assist in desalination adds an unexpected but critical advantage for regions facing water scarcity.

The Surrey team’s work, published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, provides a roadmap for future research and commercial development. By combining high energy density, fast charging, and environmental sustainability, this innovation could reshape the energy storage landscape and contribute to a cleaner, more resilient future.

Journal Reference:
Daniel Commandeur, Vlad Stolojan, Monica Felipe-Sotelo, James Wright, David Watson, Robert C. T. Slade. Nanostructured sodium vanadate hydrate as a versatile sodium ion cathode material for use in organic media and for aqueous desalination. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2025; 13 (40): 34493 DOI: 10.1039/d5ta05128b


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