Lu Yaxiang's sodium battery charges in 4 minutes and retains 90% capacity after 2,000 cycles. Gotion hit 261 Wh/kg. China imports 75% of its lithium.

Award-winner Lu Yaxiang and her team are working towards making commercially viable batteries from the abundant, low-cost mineral.

Lu Yaxiang's sodium battery charges in 4 minutes and retains 90% capacity after 2,000 cycles. Gotion hit 261 Wh/kg. China imports 75% of its lithium.