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Sodium-ion batteries -

First up are sodium-ion batteries. These are basically the same as lithium-ion batteries, but they replace the lithium ions (which carry the charge) with sodium ions.

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Sodium-ion batteries -

The great thing about using sodium instead of lithium is that it’s much easier to source. In fact, salt from the ocean can be used to extract sodium pretty much anywhere in the world.

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Sodium-ion batteries -

The downside to sodium batteries, however, is that their sodium ions are larger than lithium ions. This means a lower energy density, which would mean a shorter battery life for cell phones, a smaller range for electric vehicles, etc.

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Lithium-sulfur batteries -

Next up are lithium-sulfur batteries, which replace cobalt (the difficult-to-source anodic material in a lithium-ion battery) with sulfur.

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Lithium-sulfur batteries -

The benefit of lithium-sulfur batteries, other than having raw materials that are easy to source, is that they have a high-energy density and low production costs.

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Lithium-sulfur batteries -

The main drawback with this option currently is the fast degradation rate. It is for this reason that lithium-sulfur batteries are not yet viable for day-to-day electronics.

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Solid-state batteries -

Perhaps the most hopeful contender in this race is solid-state batteries. These are like lithium-ion batteries, except they use a solid electrolyte medium, rather than a liquid one, to allow ions to flow between electrodes.

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Solid-state batteries -

The advantage of solid-state batteries over traditional lithium-ion batteries is that they have a much lower risk of ignition.

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Solid-state batteries -

Solid-state batteries also have greater conductivity, which should mean better capacity and charging speeds from devices that use this technology.

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Hydrogen fuel cells -

Hydrogen fuel cells cannot really be described as a battery, but they have nonetheless emerged as a popular option when it comes to producing clean energy.

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Hydrogen fuel cells -

Hydrogen fuel cells work by combining hydrogen with oxygen in the air to produce electricity and water vapor. The process is fully environmentally friendly.

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Hydrogen fuel cells -

The downside to hydrogen fuel cells is that they need to be built. This is very costly and not many countries in the world have the infrastructure to support it.

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Magnesium batteries -

One alternative that is in the early stages of research is aqueous magnesium batteries, which use magnesium ions to carry the charge rather than lithium ions.

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Magnesium batteries -

The upside to this option is the abundant availability and higher iconic charge of magnesium. This means a higher energy density from the same-sized cell.

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Magnesium batteries -

There are still several unanswered questions with magnesium batteries, though, such as which cathode materials to use. The materials used in lithium-ion batteries will not work.

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Graphene batteries -

Another promising material when it comes to making batteries is graphene, the world’s thinnest material. It consists of a single layer of carbon atoms.

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Graphene batteries -

Graphene has many properties that make it a strong contender in the race to replace lithium: it is strong, light, and has excellent electrical conductivity.

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Graphene batteries -

However, graphene is so expensive that, for now, it remains unviable for use in commercial products. It costs more than US$60,000 per metric ton.

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Aluminum batteries -

Next up is aluminum, which is both a readily available resource and one of the most easily recycled materials.

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Aluminum batteries -

Aluminum also has the added benefit of being much cheaper than lithium. It is therefore a favorite of researchers working to develop alternative battery technologies. 

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Aluminum batteries -

The Australian company Graphene Manufacturing Group, for example, claims that its aluminum batteries charge 60 times faster than their lithium counterparts.

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Iron batteries -

Researchers are also experimenting with iron as an alternative to lithium. Iron reportedly has less of a tendency to lose efficiency than lithium.

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Iron batteries -

The problem with iron batteries currently is that they are too big to be used for the consumer goods we need them for, such as cell phones and electric cars.

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Iron batteries -

However, iron could still be a viable option for practical grid storage. Indeed, one Oregon-based company recently invested heavily in this technology.

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Silicon -

Silicon is another material of interest for battery researchers. It will never fully replace lithium, but it can be added to lithium batteries to make them last longer.

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Silicon -

Currently, lithium-ion batteries use graphite as one of their main components. However, the lithium slips through the gaps in the carbon layers, which results in a loss of storage over time.

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Silicon -

Using silicon instead of graphite would both reduce this leakage and make the batteries lighter.

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Hemp -

The last option on the list is hemp, a material that is already highly regarded for its growing speed, its ability to sequester carbon, and its versatility as a fiber stock.

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Hemp -

Texas-based start-up Bemp suggested using hemp to make alternative batteries and has already developed a boron carbon battery type using the material.

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Hemp -

Their battery still uses lithium and lithium-sulfur battery technology, but it is cheaper, lighter, and easier to recycle than traditional lithium-ion batteries.

Sources: (BBC) (Android Authority) (AZoCleantech)

See also: Sustainable travel: tips and tricks for the eco-conscious explorer

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