Japanese researchers have discovered a way to make rechargeable batteries more effective for less money by using the sucrose found in common sugar. Not only would this ideally make the latest battery-powered technology more accessible to more people, but the availability of sugar would promote a much more sustainable tech industry.
Lithium-ion batteries are the preferred portable battery for most electronic devices and hybrid cars currently.
Unfortunately, lithium is in short supply, whereas sodium is much more abundant. If the modern day batteries were switched over to a sodium-ion cell it would greatly lower the price of the product. Researchers like Jay Whitacre, at Carnegie Mellon University, say that the sodium cell would also be able to store more energy which would make it a better option for storing renewable energy at solar and wind farms.
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