Prominent scientist Prof. Donald Sadoway discusses battery technology, including his innovative liquid metal battery. They explore ethical implications of battery materials, burning oil without CO2 emissions, advantages of liquid metal batteries, and decreasing cost of electric cars.
Professor Donald Sadoway's liquid metal battery offers high safety, no flammability, and self-heating features, making it an ideal solution for large-scale renewable energy storage.
Professor Sadoway underscores the need to explore other chemistries beyond lithium-ion to achieve widespread adoption of electric vehicles and improve energy storage solutions.
Deep dives
Liquid Metal Battery for Stationary Storage at Massive Scale
Professor Donald Sadoway discusses his work on liquid metal batteries for stationary storage at massive scale. The battery operates at elevated temperatures and uses molten salt and metal electrodes. It has a stratified structure with no physical barrier between the layers. The battery's discharge and charge cycles generate heat, which is trapped to maintain the battery's temperature. It offers high safety, no flammability, and self-heating features. The liquid metal battery is ideal for large-scale applications like data centers, providing uninterrupted renewable energy.
The Challenges of Current Battery Technologies
Professor Sadoway highlights the limitations of current battery technologies, particularly lithium-ion batteries. He points out that lithium-ion technology has not seen significant advancements in terms of composition and electrode materials. Solid-state batteries are dismissed as being less efficient and having high costs. He emphasizes the need to go beyond lithium-ion and explore other chemistries to achieve widespread adoption of electric vehicles and improve energy storage solutions.
Concerns about Battery Safety and Cost
The discussion touches on concerns about battery safety, particularly the risk of fire. Professor Sadoway stresses the importance of non-flammable battery chemistries to mitigate safety risks. He also emphasizes the need for affordable battery solutions to drive the adoption of electric vehicles and other applications. He presents the challenge of reducing the cost per kilowatt-hour and the current reliance on critical minerals, highlighting the need for sustainable and economically viable alternatives.
The Future and Potential of Battery Technology
Professor Sadoway expresses optimism for the future of battery technology, as he continues to work on developing non-flammable battery chemistries. He discusses the importance of finding alternatives to lithium-ion batteries and the potential for new chemistries to revolutionize energy storage and transportation. While he acknowledges the challenges of achieving cost-effective and safe batteries, he remains committed to pushing the boundaries of battery innovation for a sustainable and decarbonized future.
Prof. Donald Sadoway is a prominent scientist renowned for his breakthroughs in materials chemistry and renewable energy. As a professor at MIT, he's acclaimed for developing the innovative "liquid metal battery," a potential game-changer in renewable energy storage.
His work has earned him prestigious awards and recognition, including membership in the National Academy of Engineering. Sadoway's pioneering research and commitment to sustainable energy continue to make a lasting impact on the field.
After seeing Donald’s TED talk ‘The missing link to renewable energy’ from 2011, Robert has been a fan and is very excited to talk to him. They discuss all sorts of future battery technology including Donald’s critical views on solid-state batteries. If you’re a battery nerd, this episode is for you! You can watch the 2011 TED Talk on the link below.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode