Researchers from Dalhousie University, working with the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan, have analyzed a promising new lithium-ion battery material: single-crystal electrodes.
Image: Dalhousie University
The results are remarkable. The single-crystal electrode has undergone continuous charging and discharging in a Halifax lab for over six years, and the battery lasted more than 20,000 cycles. That’s equivalent to eight million kilometers of driving, before hitting the 80% capacity threshold.
By comparison, a conventional lithium-ion battery reached the same threshold after just 2,400 cycles, or approximately 960,000 kilometers.
As the global push to extend the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) is intensifying — with mandates in countries like the U.S. requiring these batteries to retain 80% of their original charge capacity after eight years of operation — this research is critical.
Published in the Journal of The Electrochemical Society, the study highlights the durability of the single-crystal electrode material.
Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, which develop extensive microscopic cracking in their electrode material due to repeated charging and discharging, the single-crystal battery exhibited minimal mechanical stress. The electrode material remained structurally intact, appearing nearly as pristine as a brand-new cell.
“If these batteries can significantly outlast the lifespan of the EV itself while remaining in excellent condition internally, they become prime candidates for reuse or repurposing,” said Toby Bond, a Dalhousie PhD candidate and senior scientist at CLS. Potential applications for these long-lasting batteries include energy storage for wind and solar farms, offering a sustainable second life for EV batteries.
This breakthrough underscores the potential of single-crystal electrode technology to revolutionize the longevity and reuse of lithium-ion batteries, advancing EV performance and renewable energy storage solutions.
Read the full article here.
Filed Under: Batteries, Technology News