Solvent-free electrodes promise smaller factories and lower costs
Why it matters: High-efficiency battery factories, not faster cars, are emerging as the real test of who wins the next phase of the EV race. The companies that can strip energy use, floor space, and solvents out of cell production are beginning to show how electric vehicles could finally hit mass-market price points without sacrificing range or performance.
Forward-looking: What started as a curiosity at CES 2025 has quietly matured into one of the show's most convincing sustainability narratives a year later. Flint, the Singapore-based startup developing a fully cellulose-based paper battery, is now in production and gearing up to supply its renewable power cells to major electronics partners, including Logitech, Amazon, and Apple accessory maker Nimble.
Forward-looking: A European research team involving scientists from DESY and Hamburg University of Technology have unveiled a newly demonstrated triboelectric nanogenerator that produces electricity by pushing water in and out of nanoporous silicon. Their work marks a significant step toward battery-free power for sensors and other low-power devices.
The OnePlus 15 has debuted to strong first reviews, driven largely by the big battery that offers reliable two-day endurance. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (what a name) delivers flagship performance, too, but reviewers note that the cameras are a downgrade compared to last year's model.
Batteries were the selling point – now they're the liability
In context: Industry analysts expect 2026 to mark a year of recalibration for the electric vehicle market as both supply and demand adjust. For now, however, it remains in flux – its promise of cleaner transportation tempered by the hard economics of depreciation.
New battery material that could cut lithium use dramatically
Looking ahead: Recent advancements in scientific discovery methodologies are using AI and emerging quantum technologies to compress decades of materials research into months or weeks. While these technologies are still evolving, their early successes in battery development suggest a future where sustainable, high-performance energy storage could become more accessible and environmentally responsible.
In brief: Anker's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad 2025 continues. The Chinese electronics maker recently issued yet another power bank recall due to overheating concerns, which pose burn and fire hazards to consumers.