Articles tagged with "lithium-metal-battery"
New solid-state battery retains 75% capacity after 1,500 cycles
Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland have developed a novel manufacturing process that significantly enhances the durability and performance of lithium-metal all-solid-state batteries, a promising technology for safer, higher energy density, and faster-charging batteries. The team tackled two major challenges: lithium dendrite formation and unstable anode–electrolyte interfaces. They employed a gentle sintering technique at a low temperature of 176°F (80°C) to densify the sulfide-based argyrodite solid electrolyte (Li₆PS₅Cl) without compromising its chemical stability. This method produces a dense, uniform microstructure that resists dendrite penetration while maintaining fast lithium-ion transport. In addition, the researchers applied an ultra-thin (65 nm) lithium fluoride coating on the lithium metal anode via vacuum evaporation. This coating acts as both a chemical shield against electrolyte decomposition and a physical barrier to dendrite growth, significantly improving the battery’s durability and reliability. Laboratory tests showed
energysolid-state-batterylithium-metal-batterybattery-technologymaterials-scienceenergy-storagelithium-dendritesNew anode-free battery promises to double EV range in same size
A South Korean research team from POSTECH, KAIST, and Gyeongsang National University has developed a record-breaking anode-free lithium metal battery that nearly doubles the energy density of current electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Achieving a volumetric energy density of 1,270 Wh/L—almost twice the roughly 650 Wh/L of conventional lithium-ion batteries—this innovation could significantly extend EV driving range without increasing battery size. The key advancement lies in eliminating the traditional graphite anode; instead, lithium ions migrate from the cathode and deposit directly onto a copper current collector, freeing internal space to pack more active material within the same volume. Overcoming longstanding challenges with anode-free lithium-metal batteries, such as uneven lithium deposition and dendrite formation that cause short circuits and rapid degradation, the researchers introduced a two-part solution. They combined a Reversible Host polymer framework embedded with silver nanoparticles to guide uniform lithium deposition, and a specially designed electrolyte that forms a stable protective layer (Li₂O
energybattery-technologyelectric-vehicleslithium-metal-batteryanode-free-batteryenergy-densityEV-range-extensionVolkswagen tests US solid-state battery in Ducati electric bike
Volkswagen Group subsidiary PowerCo SE and US-based battery developer QuantumScape have demonstrated the world’s first live use of solid-state lithium-metal batteries powering a Ducati electric motorcycle. The demonstration took place at the IAA Mobility trade fair in Munich, showcasing a Ducati V21L race bike equipped with QuantumScape’s QSE-5 solid-state cells produced via the proprietary QS Cobra process. This process enables rapid ceramic separator production at gigafactory scale and brings anode-free solid-state batteries out of the lab into real-world vehicle applications. The battery system, engineered by Audi for QuantumScape’s cells, delivers an energy density of 844 Wh/L, supports ultra-fast charging (12 minutes from 10 to 80%), and continuous 10C discharge. This milestone marks a significant step toward commercializing next-generation EV battery technology, addressing industry demands for higher energy density, enhanced safety, faster charging, longer lifespan, and lower costs. PowerCo CEO Frank Blome emphasized that solid-state batteries
energysolid-state-batteryelectric-motorcycleVolkswagenDucatilithium-metal-batterybattery-technologyEV battery breakthrough charges in 12 minutes, lasts 186,411 miles
A joint research team from KAIST and LG Energy Solution has achieved a significant breakthrough in electric vehicle (EV) battery technology by developing a new lithium-metal battery that can deliver approximately 500 miles (800 km) on a single charge and recharge in just 12 minutes. This advancement addresses the critical issue of dendrite formation—sharp lithium crystals that degrade battery performance and pose safety risks during fast charging—by introducing a novel “cohesion-inhibiting new liquid electrolyte.” This electrolyte minimizes interface non-uniformity by using an anion structure with weak binding affinity to lithium ions, enabling smooth lithium deposition on the anode and effectively suppressing dendrite growth even under rapid charging conditions. The breakthrough not only enhances charging speed and driving range but also extends battery lifespan to over 300,000 km (186,411 miles), overcoming the traditional trade-off between energy density and charging speed in lithium-metal batteries. This development paves the way for a new generation of high-performance EVs by combining long
energyelectric-vehiclelithium-metal-batterybattery-technologyfast-chargingelectrolyteenergy-storageChina’s new additive makes EV lithium-metal battery last 3,000 cycles
Researchers at Southeast University in China have developed a novel electrolyte additive, 1,3-dithiane, that significantly enhances the lifespan and safety of lithium metal batteries (LMBs), a promising next-generation energy storage technology. The additive, a thioether-based compound with a high sulfur content (53.5%), stabilizes the battery’s electrode interfaces by forming a sulfur-rich protective layer through a chemical process called polarity inversion. This layer converts unstable organic components into stable sulfur-based inorganic compounds and protects the electrolyte solvents, resulting in a more reliable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). By strengthening the SEI, 1,3-dithiane suppresses lithium dendrite growth and slows capacity loss, enabling over 3,300 charge-discharge cycles in lab tests. Additionally, 1,3-dithiane optimizes both the kinetics and thermodynamics of the battery system. Its strong redox properties and preferential adsorption facilitate the formation of a dynamic, inorganic-rich interphase with high ionic conductivity
energylithium-metal-batteryelectrolyte-additivebattery-life-extensionelectrode-stabilizationthioether-electrolyteelectric-vehiclesSolid-state battery breakthrough could boost production by 25 times
QuantumScape, a solid-state battery developer, has announced a significant manufacturing breakthrough with the integration of its new "Cobra" process into the QS-0 assembly line. This process accelerates a critical heat-treatment step—sintering of the proprietary ceramic separator material—by approximately 25 times compared to the previous "Raptor" method. Besides the dramatic speed increase, Cobra also reduces the physical space required per unit, addressing key challenges in scaling up production for gigawatt-hour scale solid-state lithium-metal battery manufacturing. This advancement is crucial for improving throughput, reducing costs, and enabling the design of scalable gigafactory production lines. With Cobra now established as the production baseline, QuantumScape is advancing to produce its next-generation B-sample cells, which are more mature prototypes used for extensive testing and validation in the automotive industry before mass production approval. The company aims to leverage the improved speed and efficiency of Cobra to support higher-volume production and move closer to commercial readiness. CEO Dr.
energysolid-state-batterybattery-manufacturingQuantumScapeceramic-separatorlithium-metal-batteryproduction-processSolid-state battery breakthrough could boost production by 25 times
QuantumScape, a solid-state battery developer, has announced a significant manufacturing breakthrough with its new "Cobra" process, which accelerates a critical heat-treatment step by approximately 25 times compared to its previous "Raptor" method. This step, known as sintering, is essential for producing the proprietary ceramic separator material at the core of QuantumScape’s lithium-metal solid-state batteries. The Cobra process not only speeds up production but also reduces the physical space required per unit, addressing key challenges in scaling up to gigawatt-hour level manufacturing and enabling more efficient, cost-effective battery production. With Cobra now established as the production standard on QuantumScape’s QS-0 assembly line, the company is advancing toward producing its next-generation B-sample cells. These B-samples represent a more mature design phase used for rigorous validation by automotive partners, marking a critical step toward commercial readiness. QuantumScape aims to leverage the improved throughput and scalability provided by Cobra to support higher-volume production and strengthen
energysolid-state-batterybattery-manufacturingceramic-separatorQuantumScapelithium-metal-batteryproduction-processBattery life could be extended with US scientists' imaging technique
Researchers at UCLA have developed a novel imaging technique called electrified cryogenic electron microscopy (eCryoEM) that captures high-resolution images of lithium-metal batteries while they charge, at a scale smaller than the wavelength of light. This method involves rapidly freezing thin batteries in liquid nitrogen during charging to preserve and visualize the formation and growth of the corrosion layer over time. By compiling images taken at various time points, the researchers created a "flipbook" animation revealing how the corrosion film develops, providing critical insights into the electrochemical processes occurring under real reaction conditions—something previously unobservable with traditional postmortem techniques. The study found that the corrosion layer’s growth initially depends on how quickly lithium reacts (reaction-limited stage) and later slows down as electron diffusion through the layer becomes the limiting factor (diffusion-limited stage). Notably, the electrolyte’s reactivity plays a larger role in early-stage corrosion than previously understood, with a more inert electrolyte significantly reducing corrosion growth. These findings suggest that engineering
energylithium-metal-batterybattery-life-extensionelectron-microscopyeCryoEMbattery-designenergy-storage-materials