Debut of the world’s first 18650 potassium-ion battery that can replace the lithium-ion battery

In a noteworthy advance, Group1 has introduced the world’s first potassium-ion battery designed in the widely used 18650 cylindrical format.

“We are pleased to introduce the world’s first 18650 potassium ion battery,” said Alexander Girau, CEO of Group1.

The 18650 potassium-ion battery belongs to the category of batteries in which the charge carrier is potassium ions, as opposed to the more common lithium ions.

This type of battery has the same shape as the commonly used 18650 lithium-ion battery, i.e. 18 mm in diameter and 65 mm in length.

This achievement, presented at the 14th annual Beyond Lithium conference, has the potential to usher in a new era of sustainable and economically viable replacements for conventional lithium-ion batteries.

Impressive performance

“This innovation is the result of years of dedicated research and product development,” Girau said.

A particularly remarkable feature of the newly developed potassium-ion battery is its impressive performance. Extensive testing has shown that it not only meets but exceeds initial expectations.

The battery demonstrated exceptional cycle life, indicating its ability to withstand numerous charge and discharge cycles before noticeable capacity reduction.

This feature is extremely important for various applications, including electric vehicles, where battery life is crucial.

Additionally, the potassium-ion battery features solid discharge performance, ensuring its ability to efficiently deliver power when needed.

High energy density

The battery operates at a nominal voltage of 3.7 V, which guarantees compatibility with modern electronic devices and systems.

Furthermore, a clear path to achieving gravimetric energy densities of 160–180 Wh/kg has been demonstrated, which is comparable to lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP-LIBs).

This high energy density indicates that the battery is capable of storing a significant amount of energy relative to its weight. It offers “better cycle life and excellent discharge capacity,” the company said.

This has established the potassium-ion battery as a suitable alternative for high-performance mobile devices such as electric vehicles and portable electronic devices.

Strategic design

It is interesting that the decision to place the potassium-ion battery in the 18650 format was a strategic decision.

As the most widely used and designed cell format, the 18650 battery enables seamless integration of the potassium-ion battery into existing devices and applications, eliminating the need for costly redesigns.

“It integrates seamlessly with existing LIB processes, providing manufacturers with a smooth transition,” reads the press release.

Additionally, the new potassium-ion batteries use commonly available commercial components, including graphite anodes, separators and electrolyte formulations.

This not only streamlines the supply chain, but also strengthens domestic production capacity, thereby reducing dependence on essential minerals such as nickel, cobalt, copper and lithium.

Paradigm Shift

The newly introduced potassium-ion battery, using Group1’s patented Kristonite cathode material, represents a significant advance in battery technology.

It has the potential to provide an effective alternative to LiFePO4-based lithium-ion batteries (LFP) and sodium-ion batteries (NIB), which have struggled with cost and performance issues.

Group 1’s introduction of the 18650 potassium-ion battery marks a significant advance in the development of sustainable and efficient energy storage technologies.

It eliminates the need to consume essential minerals, uses commonly available elements, and presents them in a format that is globally recognizable.

The 18650 potassium-ion battery could prove to be a breakthrough that has the potential to revolutionize numerous industries and contribute to the development of a more sustainable environment.