A Quantum Leap in Accelerated Electric Vehicles Charging
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) researchers have pushed the boundaries of fast charging technology for electric vehicles (EVs). Their latest breakthrough involves a lithium-ion battery material that recharges up to 80% of its capacity within a mere 10 minutes and maintains this capability for an astounding 1,500 charging cycles.
Enhanced Electrolyte Formulations
At the heart of this innovation lies a profound development in the battery’s electrolyte—a critical component that facilitates ion movement between electrodes during operation and recharging.
Led by Zhijia Du, a team of battery scientists at ORNL devised new formulations of lithium salts combined with carbonate solvents. This ingenious electrolyte design ensures consistent ion flow over time and excels even when subjected to the intense heat generated during high-speed charging.
Battery Safety and Performance
Collaborating closely with project partners, ORNL conducted rigorous tests on battery pouch cells produced at their state-of-the-art Battery Manufacturing Facility.
The results substantiated the safety and cycling characteristics of this groundbreaking battery technology. These findings have been documented in a publication featured in the prestigious journal “Batteries & Supercaps.”
Tripling the Lifespan Target
In summarizing the impact of their discovery, Zhijia Du expressed, “We found that this new electrolyte formulation essentially triples the Department of Energy’s target for the lifespan of an extreme-fast-charging battery.” ORNL’s pioneering research marks a significant leap forward in making fast-charging EVs more practical and sustainable for the future.
Read the original article on Tech Xplore.
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