- Researchers have made a breakthrough in anode-free lithium-ion batteries
- A new gel electrolyte could solve one of the biggest problems in technology
- This could unlock greater longevity and safety for lithium-ion electric vehicle cells.
Researchers at Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences say they have developed a new gel electrolyte that will help stabilize lithium-ion batteries without anodes. This should improve the safety and longevity of this emerging battery technology, while also providing cost savings for manufacturers.
Anodeless lithium-ion batteries have been explored for several years; Last year, a South Korean research team used an anode-less lithium metal battery architecture to double the volumetric density of a battery, without increasing its size.
Removing the anode frees up more internal space, allowing a greater amount of active material to be packed into the same volume. This is like getting more fuel into the same fuel tank, according to Interesting Engineering.
The main issues facing the technology have been battery safety and longevity, as lithium-metal batteries without anodes have suffered from uneven lithium deposition during charging sessions.
This means that lithium can form sharp, needle-like structures (called dendrites), which can puncture internal components and cause dangerous short circuits and thermal runaway events.
But according to Interesting Engineering, which cites research results first published in the journal Joule, researchers at Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences found a solution to this problem in a gel electrolyte.
To get very technical for a moment, the team used a “network of salt-phobic parasitic polymers in their electrolyte design,” which “selectively repels lithium ions while attracting solvent molecules.”
In relatively simple terms, the gel electrolyte is divided at the nanoscale into different compositions. This allows the formation of a protective layer on the surface of the lithium that prevents the formation of harmful dendrites.
During laboratory experiments, the researchers found that the gel electrolyte retained more than 80% of its capacity under near-real conditions, while also improving the thermal stability of the battery, which would mean less energy consumed by an electric vehicle, either to heat or cool the pack for optimal operating temperatures.
Apparently, the gel electrolyte also withstood extensive drilling without any thermal runaway. In contrast, batteries with conventional liquid electrolytes caught fire or exploded during testing.
In a real-world application, researchers believe that a gel electrolyte in an anodeless lithium-ion battery could lead to electric vehicle packs with higher energy density, longer life and safer operation, all without the costs involved in developing entirely new electrolyte formulations.
Analysis: there is still life in lithium
Much of the talk about the future of electric vehicles revolves around solid-state battery packs, which have been referred to as the “holy grail” answer to many electric vehicle problems, such as slow charging speeds, poor range, overly heavy packs, and persistent safety issues.
But the technology is still in its infancy and, despite some Chinese companies saying they are pushing to produce it, it remains a much more expensive proposition than current lithium-ion offerings.
“There is still a lot of life left in lithium-ion technology,” explains Akhil Krishnan, vice president of product line for the Volvo EX60. “Of course, I’m excited about the future of solid state, but we’ve already made great progress with lithium-ion,” he adds.
Working together with Breathe, a battery software company that uses simulations and modeling to help get the most out of electric vehicle batteries, Volvo has proven that lithium-ion technology delivers results. The upcoming Volvo EX60 boasts a WLTP range of more than 500 miles and consistently fast charging speeds in all conditions.
Yan Zhao, co-founder of Breathe Battery Technologies, says convincing the next 25% of car buyers to go electric will be one of the toughest tasks yet. “Your purchasing decisions will depend a lot on price,” he says.
This is where improvements in lithium-ion batteries can help, allowing for greater range and faster charging speeds without passing on the costs of emerging battery technologies to customers.
As with the internal combustion engine, which, even after more than a century, continues to see improvements in performance and efficiency, lithium-ion technology will continue to improve over the next three to five years, according to experts.
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