AI comes up with battery design that uses 70 per cent less lithium
New ScientistDec 30, 2023
AI: Newly-Discovered Material Could Reduce Lithium Use in Batteries
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The Facts
Scientists have found a novel material that has the potential to reduce lithium use in batteries by up to 70% with the use of artificial antelligence (AI), as well as supercomputing.
On Tuesday, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory announced alongside Microsoft that their partnership had found a new type of solid-state electrolyte. Compared to current lithium-ion batteries, this substance may also reduce the likelihood of a battery catching fire.
The Spin
Narrative A
Microsoft’s cutting-edge AI technology continues to lead the world to new scientific horizons and possibilities. The discovery of a new material that holds the potential to be used to create batteries that use vastly fewer resources is a major breakthrough. With a new era of science just getting started, the company's contributions to bettering humanity are just getting started.
Narrative B
The potential for artificial intelligence to progress scientific discoveries is undeniable, but given how quickly the technology is evolving, it might be a good idea for the government to impose the precautionary principle, which places the burden of proof on innovators to prove their work won't cause unintended future harm. This is a promising discovery, but more caution is warranted.
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