Liquid metal batteries have applications as power grid storage batteries used alongside renewable energy sources like windmills and solar panels. The relatively high energy capacity, high voltage, and long cycle life of liquid metal batteries makes them highly suited for large-scale energy storage. This leads to thermal runaways and a high probability of short circuits with each cell. Sensitivity to motion: Owing to the three liquid layers that constitute the battery there is a high probability of unstable contact between the liquids and metals. Highly corrosive: Due to the free-flowing mixture of liquid chemicals and metals within the battery they can be quite corrosive making them dangerous for certain applications. In comparison between a liquid metal battery vs lithium-ion battery, the latter operates at more stable temperatures as opposed to liquid metal. High temperature: Liquid metal batteries commonly operate at relatively high temperatures making them quite unstable thermally. Although there are other batteries with higher capacity, when comparing a liquid metal battery vs lithium-ion, liquid batteries have a much higher rating. High voltage and density: Liquid metal batteries have a much higher voltage and higher capacity also owing to the liquid state of the battery. If you were to charge a liquid metal battery vs lithium-ion, the liquid metal battery would charge twice as fast if not faster than the lithium battery. In comparing a liquid metal battery vs lithium-ion batteries, liquid metal batteries have a much lower average cost of production and sales than lithium batteries.įast charge rate: Liquid metals have a relatively faster charge rate due to the liquid-liquid electrolyte medium which facilitates the quick transfer of electrons within the battery. Low cost: The major advantage liquid metal batteries have over other batteries is the relatively low cost of earth-abundant metals used in producing the battery. What are pros and cons of using the liquid metal batteriesĪlthough liquid metal batteries may boast of low cost and a simple manufacturing process, they have their up and downsides.

This choice of low-cost materials and simple process used in making liquid metal batteries aims to reduce the overall cost of storage batteries. The use of these metals is mainly due to their abundance in the earth, low average cost, and the simple process required to assemble each battery cell. The liquid anode is made up of a calcium alloy while the cathode side is commonly made up of antimony metals. Battery swapping station business modelĪ liquid metal battery is a unique battery type that unlike most batteries is made up of a liquid anode, a molten electrolyte medium, and solid metal particles that make up the cathode.

Liquid metal battery