The improvement in capacity could translate into years or even decades of extra life
Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new and unconventional battery chemistry aimed at producing batteries that last longer than previously thought possible.
In a study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, ORNL researchers challenged a long-held assumption that a battery’s three main components — the positive cathode, negative anode and ion-conducting electrolyte — can play only one role in the device.
The electrolyte in the team’s new battery design has dual functions: it serves not only as an ion conductor but also as a cathode supplement. This cooperative chemistry, enabled by the use of an ORNL-developed solid electrolyte, delivers an extra boost to the battery’s capacity and extends the lifespan of the device.
“This bi-functional electrolyte revolutionizes the concept of conventional batteries and opens a new avenue for the design of batteries with unprecedented energy density,” said ORNL’s Chengdu Liang.
The team demonstrated the new concept in a lithium carbon fluoride battery, considered one of the best single-use batteries because of its high energy density, stability and long shelf life. When ORNL researchers incorporated a solid lithium thiophosphate electrolyte, the battery generated a 26 percent higher capacity than what would be its theoretical maximum if each component acted independently. The increase, explains Liang, is caused by the cooperative interactions between the electrolyte and cathode.
“As the battery discharges, it generates a lithium fluoride salt that further catalyzes the electrochemical activity of the electrolyte,” Liang said. “This relationship converts the electrolyte — conventionally an inactive component in capacity — to an active one.”
The improvement in capacity could translate into years or even decades of extra life, depending on how the battery is engineered and used. Longer-lived disposable batteries are in demand for applications such as such as artificial cardiac pacemakers, radiofrequency identification devices, remote keyless system, and sensors, where replacing or recharging a battery is not possible or desirable.
“If you have a pacemaker, you don’t want to undergo surgery every 10 years to replace the battery,” Liang said. “What if a battery could last 30 to 50 years? Our fundamental research is opening up that possibility through a new design mechanism.”
The Latest on: Longer-lived batteries
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Longer lived batteries” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Longer-lived batteries
- Chinese Communist-Linked Battery Maker Breaks The Bank On Lobbying Amid Congressional Scrutinyon May 2, 2024 at 1:04 am
A Chinese Communist Party-linked company planning to build electric vehicle battery factories inside the U.S. has already spent over $1 million on lobbying in ...
- University of Sheffield works to develop batteries for Africaon May 1, 2024 at 1:23 pm
Engineers have been developing longer-life batteries to help communities in Africa. The University of Sheffield said more than 740 million people around the world do not have access to electricity, ...
- UW System President praises UW-Madison for taking actionon May 1, 2024 at 1:15 pm
Encampments continued for the third day as students at University of Wisconsin-Madison and UW-Milwaukee called for cutting university ties to Israel and for peace in Gaza.
- A massive battery storage plant is in the works in Morro Bay. Here's a look at the project siteon April 30, 2024 at 12:31 pm
It's a scene that may not be around much longer, as the retired power plant could be replaced by a battery storage facility. Texas-based energy company Vistra Corp. applied to the city to build a ...
- Beats Solo 4 Review: Classic design with bold, long-lasting soundon April 30, 2024 at 11:00 am
Our Senior Tech Reporter spent nearly a week with Beats' latest on-ear headphones to determine whether they're worth the $199.99 price point.
- Beats Solo Buds Launching in June With 18-Hour Battery Life and a Tiny Case for $79.99on April 30, 2024 at 7:01 am
Alongside the new Beats Solo 4 headphones, Apple's Beats brand is announcing an all-new entry-level model of earbuds, Beats Solo Buds. Priced ...
- Beats Solo 4 Headphones Debut With Improved Acoustics, Longer Battery Life, and Moreon April 30, 2024 at 7:00 am
Apple's Beats brand today is announcing an update to its most popular line of headphones with the new Beats Solo 4. The on-ear headphones ...
- Man arrested in Caldwell for rape, aggravated batteryon April 29, 2024 at 11:04 am
Police said Marcus Jackson is facing several charges, including rape, aggravated battery and possession of a firearm.
- The 10 longest-range electric cars – including one that does more than 500 mileson April 29, 2024 at 9:30 am
The recent cooling of interest in electric cars has shown that plenty of buyers are put off by the prospect of their range anxiety – that is to say, ending up with an electric car that simply can’t go ...
- Will the new Panasonic battery plant save this Kansas village or kill it?on April 29, 2024 at 2:06 am
If you ask my opinion, somebody should buy it, do away with the historic site crap, and just bulldoze all of it,” says one leader.
via Bing News