Scientists say batteries that can repair themselves can be the "secret sauce" to improving range and lifespan.
- A European initiative is underway to develop an eco-friendly and highly efficient battery.
- Scientists are said to have created a "super glue" that keeps the integrity of a package intact even after it has been damaged.
- The chemistry includes special cathodes and anodes and a new type of electrolyte that protects them both.
There isn’t a universal approach when it comes to electric vehicle batteries. The size varies among different types of vehicles, and often so does their chemistry. However, the objectives for manufacturers stay consistent: they aim for higher energy density, quicker charging times, greater affordability, and enhanced safety standards. Nevertheless, the methods employed continue to evolve. European battery researchers propose an innovative path toward these aims with what they call a "self-healing" system that also prioritizes environmental sustainability.
Norwegian research organization SINTEF — also referred to as The Institute for Industrial and Technological Research — has been testing a battery they assert is more stable compared to conventional lithium-ion units and offers improved driving range along with extended durability. They described this battery using the metaphor of a “sandwich,” featuring the cathode on top, the anode at the base, and separators plus binding agents in the middle layers. While this comparison could apply generally to batteries, what sets this particular design apart lies elsewhere.
The cathode allegedly utilizes lithium-nickel-manganese oxide, which is said to be free of cobalt and has lower amounts of both nickel and lithium compared to conventional electric vehicle batteries. This composition offers a greater mean voltage, potentially enhancing charging speeds and overall performance. Additionally, it can store more energy within a compact space, as stated by SINTEF researcher Nils Peter Wagner to a UK-based magazine. Tech Xplore .
On the contrary, the anode is constructed using a silicon-graphite blend. Many battery manufacturers are progressively investigating this approach. silicon anodes As they eliminate the inefficiencies associated with graphite-rich anodes, several U.S.-based battery startups like Amprius, Group14, and Sila Nanotechnologies are investigating silicon-based anodes. However, one drawback is that these silicon anodes often expand during charging and discharging processes. This issue can be addressed using a graphite composite, which provides the anode with enhanced durability and consistency.
There’s also a “super glue” that reportedly repairs minor damage to the cells, akin to a self-sealing car tire. It comes in the form of special binders and separators that hold the battery structure together. In simple terms, a binder is a material that keeps active particles in a battery together, whereas a separator prevents short circuits, ensuring that the cathode and anode don’t come in contact. Development of the first-generation prototype electrolyte with these materials is already complete and now the focus is on the second-generation cells, according to SINTEF.
The ultimate step is figuring out how to bring this technology to the market, with plans reportedly underway to scale up production. It’s one thing to innovate in a lab, but applying all of that development to a practical, mass-produced product is another challenge altogether. We’ve seen many battery chemistry breakthroughs over the past few years, but few have made it into the real world.
As Bob Lee, president and chief strategy officer of LG Energy Solution in North America said in the Autoline Network Podcast: "The key lies in manufacturing technology. The challenge is producing batteries at high volume with consistent quality over large surfaces."
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