Addionics has introduced a battery architecture designed to improve lithium-ion cell performance and charging capability at low temperatures.
The technology is intended for applications including electric vehicles (EVs) and electric trucks, where cold weather can reduce usable battery energy and increase the power required for battery heating.
Addionics says its Smart 3D Porous Current Collectors change the internal transport pathways within the cell. The porous structure allows electrolyte and lithium ions to move through the current collector plane, creating additional pathways through the electrode.
The company says this reduces transport distances and improves access to active material throughout a larger portion of the electrode. The architecture is intended to help maintain electrochemical performance as cell temperature decreases.
Cold temperatures can reduce the amount of energy available from a lithium-ion battery while increasing the energy required for cabin heating and battery thermal management. Addionics estimates that severe winter conditions can reduce EV range by as much as 40%.
The issue can be especially significant for electric trucks, where reduced battery power can affect payload capability and route planning during cold-weather operation.
Improving low-temperature transport within the cell could also reduce the amount of energy needed to bring the battery into an appropriate temperature range before charging.
Addionics says the architecture is designed to improve usable energy and charging performance in cold conditions without changing the underlying battery chemistry.
The company is also evaluating the technology for other low-temperature battery applications, including electric aviation, defense, and space systems.
Filed Under: Batteries, Technology News