battery technology may outperform electric vehicle longevity and serve as energy storage for the grid” title=”SR-CT data illustrating mechanical degradation effects at the cell level (a)–(c) and cathode particle level (d)–(f). Credit: Journal of The Electrochemical Society (2024). DOI: 10.1149/1945-7111/ad88a8″ width=”800″ height=”530″/>
Advancements in Lithium-Ion Battery Longevity
The demand for longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries is escalating, particularly for electric vehicles (EVs). Current regulations in the United States mandate that these batteries retain at least 80% of their initial charge capacity after eight years of usage.
The Quest for Decades-Long Battery Life
Industry experts argue that extending battery lifespan to several decades may benefit various applications beyond transportation. Once these batteries no longer possess sufficient efficiency for EVs, they could be repurposed as energy storage solutions to harness renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, thereby stabilizing electricity supply on our grids.
Revolutionary Research Findings from Dalhousie University
A team from Dalhousie University has conducted groundbreaking research utilizing the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan. They have been monitoring a novel lithium-ion battery featuring a single-crystal electrode design, which has been continuously charged and discharged over more than six years in a lab located in Halifax.
This innovative battery surpassed an impressive 20,000 cycles before it fell below the critical 80% performance threshold—a feat equating to covering approximately 8 million kilometers on the road. By comparison, conventional lithium-ion batteries reach this cutoff after merely about 2,400 cycles.
Understanding Battery Degradation Mechanisms
“Our primary objective was to decipher how damage accumulates within a battery over time and explore methods to mitigate it,” states Toby Bond, a senior scientist at CLS who led this research during his Ph.D., under Professor Jeff Dahn’s guidance—an esteemed researcher affiliated with NSERC/Tesla Canada/Dalhousie Alliance Grant.
Microscopic Insights into Mechanical Stress
Bond shared that scientists observed remarkable results when employing ultrabright synchrotron light to investigate both types of batteries internally. Upon examining standard lithium-ion cells, they detected considerable microscopic fractures within their electrode material caused by continuous charge-discharge cycles; lithium ions caused expansion and contraction leading to structural damage.
“Eventually, those cracks accumulated until the electrode was effectively reduced to rubble,” he remarks.
In contrast, inspection of single crystal electrodes revealed barely any signs of mechanical strain or deterioration. ”Our images showed minimal aging effects—almost indistinguishable from those seen in brand-new cells,” Bond points out.
The Science Behind Improved Durability
The researchers credit this significant reduction in degradation rates primarily due to differences between particle structure within traditional versus single-crystal batteries. In standard designs, electrodes comprise minute particles approximating up to fifty times thinner than a human hair’s width.
Zooming deeper reveals that these particles consist of even smaller crystalline clusters akin to tightly packed snowflakes.
Conversely, single-crystal structures resemble solid ice cubes rather than loose snowballs; “If you grip a snowball tightly while holding an ice cube,” explains Bond metaphorically,“the likelihood is you’ll crush the snowball much easier thanks to its weaker structure.” This explains why ice cubes exhibit far greater resistance against physical stressors compared to less stable forms like snowballs.”
Pioneering Measurement Techniques with Synchrotron Technology
This study marks an unprecedented analysis whereby researchers monitored cycling behavior across such prolonged periods without dismantling cells post-testing—the information obtained through continuous observation is invaluable towards understanding long-term cell durability amidst evolving technologies.”
Innovative Battery Research Signals a New Era for Electric Vehicles
According to Toby Bond, a key figure in recent studies, the findings indicate that we are approaching a milestone where batteries could potentially surpass other components of electric vehicles (EVs) in terms of longevity. “It is essential for these vehicles to remain operational for extended periods,” Bond explains. “The longer they can be driven, the more significant the positive impact on their overall carbon footprint.” Furthermore, if battery systems endure beyond the lifespan of the vehicle itself, they can be repurposed for large-scale energy storage—a solution where high energy density is less critical than its application in EV propulsion.
Bond notes that production of these advanced batteries has already commenced on a commercial scale and anticipates that their adoption will increase substantially within just a few years. “This research reinforces their reliability and should facilitate strategic planning among manufacturers and users alike who rely on these batteries over an extended period,” he adds.
Publication Details
The findings are detailed in an article published in the esteemed Journal of The Electrochemical Society.
For Further Reading
The complete study by Toby Bond and his colleagues is titled ”The Complex and Spatially Heterogeneous Nature of Degradation in Heavily Cycled Li-ion Cells” (2024). It can be accessed through DOI: 10.1149/1945-7111/ad88a8.
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