As part of project SABERS—an acronym for Solid-state Architecture Batteries for Enhanced Rechargeability and Safety, NASA is testing a graphene battery that may have huge implications for sustainable transportation. Although electric vehicles present more eco-friendly options for transportation, lithium-ion batteries have a number of problems associated with them, including poor performance compared to other energy sources, “glacial charging speeds,” the necessity of cooling packaging, fire hazard potential, and more.
NASA’s graphene battery is being developed as a safer and more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries. The researchers are also hoping the graphene battery may unlock the potential of electric flight, which is something lithium-ion batteries will likely never do. NASA is working on making these batteries ” powerful, light, fast to discharge, scalable to any application, and extremely safe.”
Image Credit: NASA
