A surprising breakthrough could help sodium-ion batteries rival lithium—and even turn seawater into drinking water. Scientists discovered that keeping water inside a key battery material, instead of removing it as traditionally done, dramatically boosts performance. Recently, Beijing Zhongke Haina Technology Co. Last year, Zhongke Haina completed the A+ round of financing, and its investment institutions include Huawei's Hubble Investment, Haisong Capital. While lithium-ion batteries keep getting cheaper, making it difficult for alternative technologies to catch up on cost and scale, Chinese battery industry heavyweights are actively developing their sodium-ion products. On November 18, CATL announced its second-generation sodium battery. com #CATL#BYD#SodiumionBattery#BYD#bladecells#Huawei#NaionBattery As the global push for alternative battery technologies intensifies, Chinese cleantech leaders CATL, BYD, and. E10X, a microcar made by the Chinese firm JAC Yiwei, a joint venture between JAC and Volkswagen, is one of the first mass-produced vehicles to be powered by a sodium-ion battery. Credit: JustAnotherCarDesigner/Wikipedia Recurring stories and special news packages from C&EN.