Sodium batteries could make electric flight viable

Low-cost fuel cell has far higher energy density than electric car batteries and produces chemical by-product that could absorb CO2 from the atmosphere

Photo collage of a row of batteries, vintage illustrations of planes, and the periodic table symbol for sodium
Conventional batteries need to be recharged but the sodium-air fuel cell just needs to be refuelled with sodium
(Image credit: Illustration by Julia Wytrazek / Getty Images)

Zero-emissions air travel may be one step closer after scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology unveiled a new type of sodium fuel cell that could one day make electric-powered flight viable.

'Environmental benefits at no cost'

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