Scientists Discover Lithium Ions – Scientists have identified a new way lithium ions move, and it could change how researchers think about how well batteries perform. That means lithium ions can flow more rapidly through certain materials than conventional models predict, potentially enabling faster charging, greater efficiency and next-generation energy storage.

The reported breakthrough on lithium ion batteries may help scientists design better batteries for electric cars, smart phones, renewable energy storage and advanced electronic gadgets. But the battery tech will have to undergo more tests and development before a lab breakthrough can be turned into a commercial product.

New Model for Batteries Challenged

“Lithium ions travel through the battery materials during charge and discharge cycles.

Scientists have been studying the motion of ions for years and have well established models. These models describe the motion of particles in solid structures and in liquid electrolytes . Recent research suggests that lithium ions can sometimes move through materials in surprising ways.

The discovery could lead to scientists rethinking existing theories on the molecular behaviour of battery materials.

Faster ion flow could improve battery technology

It’s all about the speed at which lithium ions can travel, which is a key factor in the performance of batteries.

Higher ion mobility results in faster charging, better power delivery and lower internal resistance of batteries. One of the biggest challenges for better batteries is ion transport.

This behaviour, scientists hope, will allow them to design materials that are tailor-made to make the movement of ions quicker and more stable.

Very good news for electric cars to come.

Batteries are key to electric vehicle improvements.

Drivers still want longer range, quicker refills and greater battery life. A material that allows lithium ions to flow more freely could enable manufacturers to build batteries with better performance.

But batteries for electric vehicles also have to meet high requirements in terms of safety, cost, temperature control and long-term reliability.

Discovery could boost solid state batteries

The research could be of particular importance for developing solid-state batteries.

Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries that contain liquid electrolytes, solid-state batteries employ solid materials to transfer ions between the electrodes. The designs are safer and have higher energy density , but still the ion movement is an issue .

A better understanding of how lithium moves around could help researchers to overcome some of these limitations.

Scientists Are Still Studying Molecular Behaviour

Scientists can use advanced research tools to look at the materials inside batteries on extremely small scales.

The researchers use techniques like spectroscopy, microscopy and computer simulations to study the behaviour of atoms and ions in a working battery. Such knowledge can help in the design of new materials with improved properties.

The new find could be part of a larger effort to develop more efficient systems for storing energy.

Sources

• Original Scientific Paper – Results of Experiments and Technical Results.
• Nature Energy Battery materials and energy storage science.
• Science – peer reviewed scientific discovery.
• U.S. Department of Energy – Battery R&D & Tech Dev
• Study on energy storage by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• American Chemical Society – Chemistry & Materials Science Research