Groundbreaking innovations in Li-ion battery development
Something is happening in lithium-ion battery development. US researchers at Stanford University have succeeded in significantly improving the power volume of lithium-ion batteries. According to experts, this is a breakthrough that is likely to be particularly important in the field of electromobility: Against the backdrop of sustainable energy generation, a lithium-ion battery was recently presented to the public that literally "has it all". Compared to conventional batteries, the lithium-ion innovation is up to 20 percent more efficient - and also boasts a higher level of safety and reliability.
More efficiency through a change in perspective
The "green idea" is driving scientists all over the world to push energy generation and storage, to develop new methods in this field and to create future-oriented products. The focus in this regard is primarily on the development of smartphones, laptops and electric cars. Considering the rapid increase in digitalization, the need for "energy suppliers" will increase immensely in the near future. Perfect timing, then, for the new, efficient Li-ion batteries. But what are they really all about?
Size is not the only factor
The philosophy of the Americans has always been: "Higher, faster, further". Not so with regard to the development of rechargeable batteries. In this area, scientists apparently agree that far more can be achieved with compact formats. But this is precisely where the difficulty lies. The goal is to generate maximum performance despite a smaller battery size. In terms of the automotive industry, increasing the range of electric cars is moving sharply into focus. More power despite compact formats - a challenge that previously seemed unsolvable.
But that's not all, because the safety aspect must by no means fall by the wayside either. In the past, however, the reality was different. Time and again, the mainstream media reported that cell phone batteries suddenly overheated for no apparent reason. Some even exploded or burst into flames.
Superficial changes with a big impact
What was remarkable about the future-oriented changes to the rechargeable batteries was that the researchers had initially only been concerned with "trivialities". For example, their attention was primarily focused on the batteries' current collectors. Each lithium-ion battery is equipped with two current collectors. One is intended for each electrode. Their task is to distribute the energy flowing from the electrode.
It is worth mentioning that current collectors usually have a rather high dead weight and are thus rather counterproductive with regard to the desired increase in battery performance. E-mobiles are a "shining" example of how size and weight come at the expense of the energy portfolio.
U.S. researchers developed a polymer known as polyimide. It is exceedingly lightweight and fire-resistant to boot. As a result, it can withstand even the high temperatures generated during battery charging. In combination with a fire-retardant substance, triphyl phosphate, and an ultra-fine copper coating, incredible results have been achieved in energy generation during numerous tests. For example, the newly developed collector is more than 80 percent lighter than current models, and at the same time an energy density that is up to 26 percent higher can be recorded.
The special features in a nutshell
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Development of the lightweight, non-flammable polymer polyimide
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Embedding of the spark-inhibiting triphenyl phosphate TPP in the polymer
- Surface coating with an ultrafine copper film to protect the implemented polymer as well as to improve current distribution
Hint:
Even before this, scientists all over the world had repeatedly tried to minimize the dead weight of the electricity collectors. However, this usually resulted in chemical instability of the battery. At the same time, the electrolyte content had to be increased, which was associated with immense financial expense in some cases. Not to forget the safety aspect: Fire-retardant substances were added, but in many cases this impaired the conductivity of the battery.
The innovations carried out by the researchers at Stanford University were literally able to "kill two birds with one stone": On the one hand, they succeeded in reducing the dead weight and also the size of the battery, and on the other hand, the efficiency of the Li-ions was significantly improved. In addition, the increase in safety performance plays a significant role in the new Li-ion batteries.
Over the years, it has been shown time and again that batteries that are overheated over a long period of time lose considerable performance. Worse still, however, is the steadily increasing risk of fire. For this reason, highly complex and extremely expensive cooling systems are installed in almost all electric vehicles to reduce existing safety risks. As soon as the new development of the U.S. researchers is brought to market maturity and mass-produced, the expensive cooling systems can finally be dispensed with. The new Li-ion batteries only require special heaters, which are considerably cheaper to purchase and install than the old technologies.
Conclusion
Although the new Li-ion batteries are not yet ready for series production, it is already certain that this battery variant will in all probability be the only one that can be installed - at least according to the current state of technology. It is to be hoped that the much too complex and expensive batteries that have been used up to now will be taken off the market as soon as possible. Only then will it be possible to actually relieve the burden on man and nature and to conserve valuable resources. The "reward" for these groundbreaking changes is an overall higher performance portfolio, more safety for consumers and better protection of Mother Nature.
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