Researchers from South Korea have made a stunning breakthrough in lithium battery technology. The ramifications of their innovation could be profound when it comes to the production of electric vehicles and other large-scale energy storage devices.
Lithium batteries have long offered incredible promise as the next generation of energy storage. But scientists have struggled to deal with the problem of dendrites. As MIT explains, dendrites are projections of metal that can build up in lithium batteries, eventually shorting them out. The buildup of dendrites can lead to reduced battery lifespans and, in some cases, fire and explosions.
The researchers addressed this issue by developing an ingenious triple-layer structure that prevents the dendrites from wreaking havoc. The design allows lithium ions to move quickly, which prevents the buildup of dendrites while also making the batteries more efficient.
After 1,000 charging and discharging cycles, the newly developed battery showed an increased lifespan compared to more traditional lithium batteries. Perhaps even more incredibly, the new models can extinguish themselves in the event of a fire.
