Li-CO₂ batteries could be a two-in-one solution to the current problems of storing renewable energy and taking carbon emissions out of the air. They absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into a white powder called lithium carbonate while discharging energy.
These batteries could have profound implications for cutting emissions from vehicles and industry—and might even enable long-duration missions on Mars, where the atmosphere is 95% CO₂.
To make these batteries commercially viable, researchers have mainly been wrestling with problems related to recharging them. Now, our team at the University of Surrey has come up with a promising way forward. So how close are these “CO₂-breathing” batteries to becoming a practical reality?
Not close at all or the speculative headline wouldn’t be needed.
Sounds like plants to me. Can’t we just grow plants?
The battery capture carbon dioxide during discharging and releasing it back during charging so in practice this battery has no effect on CO2 levels
people still talking about missions to Mars might as well be flopping around on the floor speaking in tongues
Maybe so but the article isn’t really talking about that. It just used that as a phrase to exemplify the versatility of batteries and how these could be a greener solution for advanced technologies they are used for.
