Energy Daily reports that the new type of cells doesn't use cobalt, a component found in their lithium counterparts and experts say that the chemistry of the new cells is also safer and would prevent the risk of fires.

Chemical engineering professor Dr. Jodie Lutkenhaus said that "there would be no battery fires anymore because it's water-based. In the future, if materials shortages are projected, the price of lithium-ion batteries will go way up."

Accordingly, a more stable material supply, which the new cells are to use, will potentially enable production in more places around the world.

The composition of the water-based batteries is made of polymer cathodes and anodes and the electrolyte is water mixed with organic salts.

The expert says that "if an electrode swells too much during cycling, then it can't conduct electrons very well, and you lose all the performance. I believe that there is a 1,000% difference in energy storage capacity, depending on the electrolyte choice because of swelling effects."

The team of researchers also tested out different types of organic salts to see how they react when conducting energy in combination with water.

"With this new energy storage technology, this is a push forward to lithium-free batteries", chemistry assistant professor Dr. Daniel Tabor added.