Researchers at the University of Michigan have made a breakthrough in lithium-ion battery technology that could enable electric vehicles to charge up to 500% faster in cold weather conditions. The team’s innovative approach involves modifying the structural design of the battery and altering the chemical reactions that occur during charging.
The Challenge of Cold Weather Charging
Cold temperatures significantly impede the charging efficiency of lithium-ion batteries, which power most electric vehicles today. At low temperatures, the electrolyte fluid within the battery thickens, reducing electrical currents and thereby extending charging times. This issue has been a major concern for EV manufacturers and users, particularly those living in colder climates.
Innovative Solution
The researchers addressed this challenge by creating ‘pathways’ in the anode, the electrode that receives lithium ions during charging. In a previous study, they used lasers to create holes in the anode’s graphite layers, allowing lithium ions to move more quickly. However, this technique alone caused lithium to build up on the anode in cold weather, reducing the battery’s energy capacity.
Breakthrough in Cold Weather Performance
In their latest study, published in the journal Joule, the team combined the ‘pathways’ technique with a novel coating made from lithium borate-carbonate. This 20 nanometer-thick coating improved ion delivery efficiency, particularly in sub-zero temperatures. The combined approach resulted in a 500% increase in charging efficiency in cold weather, while maintaining 97% of the battery’s capacity even after 100 fast-charging cycles in subfreezing temperatures.
Implications for EV Manufacturers
The researchers believe their method could be easily implemented at the manufacturing level without requiring significant changes to existing production facilities. “We envision this approach as something that EV battery manufacturers could adopt without major changes to existing factories,” said Neil Dasgupta, associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials science at the University of Michigan.
Future Prospects
This breakthrough has the potential to significantly enhance the usability of electric vehicles in colder climates, addressing one of the key limitations of current EV technology. As the world continues to transition towards more sustainable transportation options, innovations like this could play a crucial role in making electric vehicles more practical and appealing to a wider range of consumers.
