Explosion-free 'dream' EV battery tech offers 4x energy capacity

Researchers at POSTECH, led by Professor Won Bae Kim, have developed a novel "dream battery" technology that significantly enhances energy storage capacity for electric vehicles (EVs) while improving safety. This new system employs a magneto-conversion strategy using an external magnetic field to control lithium-ion transport within ferromagnetic manganese ferrite anodes. By aligning ferromagnetic nanoparticles under the magnetic field, the technology prevents the formation of hazardous lithium dendrites—needle-like structures that cause short circuits and thermal runaway in conventional lithium metal batteries. As a result, the battery achieves four times the energy capacity of commercial graphite anodes and maintains a Coulombic efficiency above 99% over more than 300 cycles. The innovation addresses two major challenges in lithium metal batteries: dendrite growth and structural instability. The magnetic field ensures a smooth, dense lithium deposition layer that remains stable through extensive charge-discharge cycles, avoiding the degradation that typically limits battery lifespan. This dual energy storage mechanism—holding lithium both within