Stable, Efficient, Anode-Free Sodium Battery

A traditional lithium-ion battery consists of a cathode and anode, both of which store lithium ions; a separator to keep the electrodes separated on either side; and an electrolyte — the liquid through which the ions move. When lithium flows from the anode to the cathode, free electrons leave through the current collector to the device being powered while the lithium passes the separator to the cathode. To charge, the process is reversed and the lithium passes from the cathode, through the separator, to the anode.