Joint Tsinghua-Liverpool Research Team Discover New Charge Storage Mechanism
16.8.2021 12:00:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
Due to their high energy density and low cost, metal-air batteries are one of the most promising power sources of the future. A joint Tsinghua-Liverpool research team has recently developed a new charge storage mechanism that allows rechargeability within calcium-air batteries - a major step forward in battery technology.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210816005031/en/
Lu in Prof Hu’s lab where he set up experiments to cross compare results obtained at NTHU and at UoL.(Photo: National Tsing Hua University)
This discovery has been published in Chemical Science. The lead author of the paper, Yi-Ting Lu, is a joint doctoral student at Tsinghua and Liverpool, whose supervisors are Prof. Chi-Chang Hu (Department of Chemical Engineering, NTHU) and Prof. Laurence Hardwick (Department of Chemistry, UoL).
A major breakthrough related to Ca-air batteries
Prof. Hu said conventional lithium-ion batteries have a limited practical capacity. Thereby many researchers are working on developing alternative battery technologies. Their focus is on metal-air batteries based on zinc, lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and aluminum. The advantage of the calcium-air battery is its high specific energy—five times that of traditional lithium-ion batteries. However, the feasibility of calcium-air batteries remains hampered by one major drawback—it cannot be recharged.
Lu explained that metal-air batteries are electrochemical cells usually using an active metal as the negative electrode, and a porous carbon material in contact with the air as the positive electrode. When the metal oxidized the oxygen at the positive electrode is reduced, generating electric current.
After completing his first year of doctoral studies at NTHU, Lu enrolled at the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy at UoL in September 2018. Under the supervision of Prof. Hardwick, he began doing research on the electrolyte used in calcium-air batteries.
Lu found when a single electrode is repeatedly charged and discharged, initially no reversibility can be observed, but after a few dozen cycles it gradually displays some reversibility. Surprisingly, the result seemed completely different from those in literature. The research team conducted a series of experiments aimed at uncovering the mechanism behind this phenomenon. On the electrode surface, the discharge products form a calcium oxide (CaxOy) interlayer, where the discharge product of oxygen, known as superoxide, is confined, allowing the superoxide to be then readily oxidized. This suggests the oxygen could probably be repeatedly oxidized/reduced, so that the cell can be continuously discharged/recharged.
Dr. Alex Neale, a Liverpool postdoctoral researcher, who is also part of the research team, said that through systematic electrochemical and spectroscopy investigations, the team began to understand the origins of this charge storage mechanism that facilitates a previously unseen degree of reversibility for systems based on the calcium-air battery.
Prof. Hardwick said the team will focus on designing new battery systems that use this newly discovered charge storage mechanism. He added that it was the cooperative research that made their discovery possible, and there are plans for even closer cooperation between NTHU and UoL in the future.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210816005031/en/
Contact information
Holly Hsueh
NTHU
(886)3-5162006
hoyu@mx.nthu.edu.tw
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Novotech Strengthens Presence in Japan with Opening of Tokyo Office24.8.2026 02:01:00 EEST | Press release
Novotech, a leading global biotech CRO and full-service clinical research organization, has strengthened its established presence in Japan with the opening of a new office in Tokyo. The investment builds on Novotech’s existing operations and clinical trial activity in Japan and further enhances its ability to support Japanese biopharma companies as they advance programs regionally and across key international markets. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260823592174/en/ Takeshi Mori, Novotech Country Head, Japan The Tokyo office will serve as a strategic hub for Novotech’s growing operations in Japan, providing enhanced local expertise and strengthening collaboration with clients, partners, research institutions, and innovation ecosystems across the region. Novotech is currently supporting ongoing studies in Japan and provides sponsors with integrated support across early-phase clinical development in Australia, F
FDA Authorizes ZYN ULTRA Nicotine Pouches Following Scientific Review21.8.2026 22:11:00 EEST | Press release
Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM) today announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Marketing Granted Orders to PMI’s U.S. affiliate, Swedish Match USA, Inc., authorizing the marketing of 11 ZYN ULTRA moist oral nicotine pouch products, including all 9mg variants and one 11mg variant. Additional 11mg variants remain under scientific review. Today’s action further enhances PMI’s leadership role in the smoke-free category. “We are delighted with the FDA’s decision to authorize a range of ZYN ULTRA products, which will build on ZYN’s position as America’s leading smoke-free product brand,” said Stacey Kennedy, PMI U.S. CEO. “We look forward to expanding our portfolio of better choices for the 45 million Americans who consume nicotine products.” ZYN ULTRA positions the brand to further extend its category leadership among legal-age consumers of nicotine products. Like the flagship FDA-authorized ZYN pouches, ZYNULTRA, with its higher moisture content, is fre
58% of Consumers Say They Don't Care Whether a Product is a National Brand or Private Label. They Just Buy What They Need21.8.2026 13:00:00 EEST | Press release
As fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) prices rose 26% globally between 2021 and 2025, consumers have become more deliberate about where they save and where they spend. NielsenIQ (NYSE: NIQ) has released new findings showing that private label is no longer viewed simply as a lower-cost substitute, but as a credible competitor across value, mainstream, and premium segments. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260819950224/en/ Private label is no longer just a value play. The findings, published in NIQ’s latest report, A Tale of Two Consumers: The Polarized Mindsets Reshaping Global Consumption, created in collaboration with World Data Lab, show how consumer polarization is redefining value and reshaping competition on the shelf. The report also draws on insights from NIQ's 2025reportFinding Harmony on the Shelfwhich documented changing perceptions of private label products. Key findings from these reports include: 58
Tanium Reappoints Co-Founder Orion Hindawi as CEO to Drive Next Chapter of Growth20.8.2026 22:10:00 EEST | Press release
Tanium, a leader in Autonomous IT, today announced that Co-Founder and Executive Chairman Orion Hindawi has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Dan Streetman is stepping down as CEO and as a member of the Board after leading Tanium for the last three years, during which time Tanium scaled its go-to-market operations and secured strong industry analyst recognition for innovation within the Tanium platform. Streetman will continue to advise Tanium as part of the transition and co-founder David Hindawi will return to the role of Chairman of the Board. With this foundation in place, this transition positions Tanium to deepen its Autonomous IT capabilities and further expand AI offerings across its portfolio and strengthen customer and partner engagement. The Hindawis co-founded Tanium in 2007 to build the central nervous system of enterprise security, giving organizations unified visibility and control over their endpoints. During his prior tenure as CEO from 201
PCI Energy Solutions to Join Mitsubishi Electric, Reinforcing Long-Term Commitment to Customers, Employees, and the Energy Industry20.8.2026 20:46:00 EEST | Press release
PCI Energy Solutions ("PCI"), a leading U.S.-based provider of enterprise software for energy management and optimization, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. The agreement was executed on August 20, 2026 (Japan Standard Time). The Transaction represents a strong endorsement of PCI's business, technology, employees, customer relationships and position in the energy industry. Mitsubishi Electric intends to retain PCI's core management team following completion of the Transaction, enabling PCI to preserve leadership continuity, industry expertise and its customer-focused operating model while benefiting from Mitsubishi Electric's global scale, complementary capabilities and long-term investment capacity. The agreement has been signed, but the Transaction has not yet closed. PCI and Mitsubishi Electric will continue to operate as separate companies until closing, which is subject to applicable regulatory approv
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom