Group1 has released the world’s first potassium-ion battery, made in the widely used cylindrical 18650 form factor. The new product was presented as part of the 14th annual Beyond Lithium conference, and it could be an important step towards creating stable and cost-effective alternatives to conventional lithium-ion batteries. batteries.
Image source: Group1
18650 potassium ion batteries are classified as rechargeable batteries. They use potassium ions as charge carriers, 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 widely used lithium-ion batteries – 18 mm in diameter and 65 mm in length.
The company noted that the innovative potassium-ion battery is the result of many years of research and development. The impressive performance of the presented power supply deserves special attention. Through a series of tests, it was found that it not only met, but also exceeded the researchers’ expectations.
The report said that the battery demonstrated outstanding durability, indicating its ability to withstand many charge/discharge cycles before significantly reducing capacity. This feature is critical for a variety of applications, including electric vehicles, where battery longevity is critical. In addition, the potassium-ion battery showed high energy capacity.
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 lithium iron phosphate batteries. 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 that require high performance, 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 equivalent will be compatible with a large number of modern devices. Group1 is confident that the potassium-ion battery can be a worthy replacement for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries.