New safer lithium-metal EV battery supports 12-minute fast charging

South Korean researchers from KAIST and Korea University have developed a novel lithium-metal battery technology that addresses key challenges in fast-charging electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Their innovation centers on introducing thiophene into the electrolyte, which forms an “intelligent protective” layer on the lithium surface. This dynamic layer reorganizes its electronic structure in response to lithium ion movement, creating stable pathways that prevent uneven lithium deposition and dendrite growth—needle-like structures that cause short circuits and safety risks. This approach overcomes the longstanding issue of interfacial instability at the electrode-electrolyte boundary, enabling safer and more durable lithium-metal batteries. The team demonstrated that their battery can achieve ultra-fast charging in just 12 minutes at current densities exceeding 8 mA/cm², closely matching real-world EV fast-charging demands. Using in situ atomic force microscopy, they confirmed uniform lithium deposition and removal at the nanoscale, indicating mechanical and structural stability under aggressive charging. Additionally, the technology is compatible with common