Artificial Intelligence Solves the Lithium Batteries Dilemma
A research facility under the U.S. Department of Energy has partnered with Microsoft on a pioneering initiative to slash the lithium requirement for lithium reduction on batteries by 70%. Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNNL) and Microsoft proudly unveiled a working model for a battery that consumes markedly less lithium yet generates ample electricity for lighting a bulb.
Lithium is an indispensable element in the production of lithium-ion batteries, ubiquitous in electric cars, smartphones, laptops, and various portable devices. The soaring demand for electric vehicles has turned lithium reduction into a scarce mineral, prompting environmental and human rights concerns linked to its extraction.
The collaboration between PNNL and Microsoft yielded a testing model for batteries demanding significantly lithium reduction than their conventional counterparts. With the aid of artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computers from Microsoft’s Azure Quantum Elements cloud platform, a suitable new material has been pinpointed. Furthermore, the U.S. state research institution can now manufacture this new material on an industrial scale in the laboratory.
The research initiative involved screening 32 million potential raw materials, and through the assistance of AI, the number of promising materials was narrowed down to 18 within a mere 80 hours. This accelerated testing process, which would have spanned decades using traditional methods, underscores the potency of melding AI, cloud computing, high-performance computing, and scientific expertise.
Tony Peurrung, Deputy Director of PNNL Science and Technology, stressed the pivotal role played by the amalgamation of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, high-performance computing, and scientific collaboration in hastening meaningful scientific outcomes. He highlighted, “We see the potential for AI to surface a material or an approach that is unexpected or unconventional, yet worth investigating.”
Inside Telecom provides you with an extensive list of content covering all aspects of the tech industry. Keep an eye on our Intelligent Tech sections to stay informed and up-to-date with our daily articles.