Lithium-sulfur batteries can pack a lot of energy for their weight. In a Science X Dialog post on Tech, this extra mass makes it harder to use in devices where space is at a premium.
The new design could help make thinner lithium-sulfur batteries by changing the binder. The binder is basically the glue that holds the battery’s electrode together.
The team whipped this glue into a foam using a protein-based material. When the foam dries, it leaves many small tube-like gaps inside the cathode. Think of it like a sponge with little tunnels.
Next, the cathode went through a common factory step called calendering. The material is rolled and pressed to make it thinner and denser. The authors say that the tiny tunnels did not collapse even after strong pressure and the cathode ended up almost three times thinner.
The trick is to leave small gaps
These tiny gaps are important because they give the battery an easier way to transport material through the cathode while it is in operation. If you squeeze everything too hard, movement will slow down and performance may decrease.
The paper argues that this has been a major problem for lithium-sulfur designs. Squeezing the cathode often destroys the space inside that allows the battery to work well. In this case, the foam structure should act as a built-in support so that the cathode thinner can be pressed without clogging the lines inside.
Why it could help with charging
Making something thinner only helps if it still works when pressed. The post states that this cathode maintained high capacity even when charged in about 15 minutes. This is a fast-charging stress test where weak designs tend to stumble.
However, the post does not provide key details that would make it easier to compare the claim with other battery tests, such as how long the battery lasted with repeated charging or other design details. Promising, but not the last word.
What to watch next
The post states that this method can double the power as measured by the space required, which is the main reason lithium-sulfur isn’t as practical as it sounds. If this remains the case, chemistry in compact devices could become more realistic.
The team says it is pushing for even faster performance and points to plans related to a spin-out company. With no timeline or target product listed yet, the next thing to look for is whether it shows up in repeatable results and real manufacturing demos.
