RSU finds replacement of lithium battery

Yogesh Mishra

Makes a thin film battery which can be used from chip to car

Raipur, February 01, 2010

If you think that the lithium battery in your mobile phone is not reliable or   that it may explode any time while being charged, here is its replacement in the form of thin film battery made up of optimised magnesium (Mg2+) ion. But this feat in the field of nanotechnology does not belong to the scientists of any other state or foreign country, but is the kernel of round the clock research done by the faculty of School of Studies in Physics & Astrophysics (SSPA) at Pt Ravishankar Shukla University (RSU).

The Head, SSPA Prof RC Agrawal who has invested ample time in this specific research, informed that the thickness of the magnesium battery ranges from 0.1-1 mm.  Owing to its nano size, the magnesium batteries are flexible and they can easily be rolled. The batteries can not only be used in the form a small chip, but also in a car for which the user would have to enhance the conductivity of the magnesium ions.

When asked how long it would take to launch these batteries in the market, Agrawal said, “At present, we are conducting frequent performance tests of the magnesium battery in the laboratory. Then our research papers will be published in various national and international journals. Meanwhile, suggestions and corrections will flow from different experts across the world. If required, more tests would be conducted to ensure that magnesium batteries are the most appropriate replacement of the lithium ones. It is a time taking process, but thin film battery is our future battery. However, instead of considering the battery’s commercial prospect, we are focusing on the academic aspect of it.”

Asked why the lithium batteries need replacement, Agrawal said, “Lithium batteries are toxic and   inflammable, and are not environment friendly, but magnesium batteries do not have any such shortcoming.”

Assisted by research scholar Yugal Kishor in this project, Agrawal informed that a number of other research works are being carried out in the department. “There is six-member faculty in our department, besides Vice Chancellor Prof SK Pandey who has expertise in astrophysics. All the seven of us are engaged in different research projects and each of us is assisted by at least two research scholars,” he said.