Chinese Academy of Sciences develops high-performance lithium primary battery
Researchers at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics have developed a 25 Ah lithium primary battery with high energy density and rapid discharge capabilities. The battery is designed for specialized equipment requiring both endurance and power.
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics have successfully developed a 25 ampere-hour (Ah) soft-pack metal lithium primary battery, capable of both high energy density and high-power output. The breakthrough was announced on August 11 and reported by Science and Technology Daily.
The new battery achieves an energy density exceeding 750 Wh/kg at low discharge rates. Crucially, it also offers significant power improvements, enabling rapid, high-current discharge. The battery can sustain a 10C short-term discharge and reaches a specific power of 4487 W/kg at room temperature. Even in extreme cold at -40 degrees Celsius, it maintains 447 Wh/kg energy density at a 1C discharge rate, with an annual self-discharge rate below 1%.
Traditional lithium primary batteries are known for long storage life but often lack the "burst" capability needed for demanding applications. This new technology addresses that gap, providing the necessary power for scenarios such as rapid braking for drones, instant acceleration for robots, attitude adjustments for spacecraft, and immediate activation of remote sensing equipment.
According to lead researcher Chen Zhongwei, the team achieved this by innovating at the material level, designing high-entropy oxide materials with a specific capacity exceeding 430 mAh/g. A pilot production line with an annual capacity of 10 tons has also been established, covering the entire process from material to cell. The battery has passed third-party testing and is undergoing accelerated verification for use in drones, robots, aerospace simulators, and remote sensor nodes.