Discovery doubles lithium-ion battery life

Chemical engineers have found a way to double the life of high-voltage lithium-ion batteries.

An international research team, based at the University of Queensland, has developed a lithium-ion battery that has a higher energy density than conventional batteries, uses less precious metals, and can remain stable for more than 1000 cycles.

They have published their technique in Nature Communications.

“Our process will improve battery life in many ways, from smartphones and laptops to power tools and electric vehicles,” said UQ senior author and researcher Professor Lianzhou Wang.

The team’s discovery revolved around the battery’s cathode: the positive side, which attracts negatively charged electrons as they move through the circuit.

Currently, for commercial lithium-ion batteries to function, they require the expensive and dangerous metallic cobalt in the cathode – otherwise the cathode corrodes too easily. A cathode without cobalt can make a battery higher voltage and thus more energy dense, but corrosion problems mean its life and function are limited.

The researchers were interested in finding a coating that could protect the metal at the cathode without compromising battery performance.

Wang and colleagues found that a very thin epitaxial layer could protect cathodes made of lithium, nickel, and manganese. Epitaxy is a type of crystal growth in which the atoms of the crystal align with the atoms in the substrate (the object on which they are growing).

Get science story updates delivered straight to your inbox.

In this case, the researchers found that certain materials (made of lanthanum, nickel, manganese, and oxygen) that grew epitaxially on the cathode particles could stop the cathode from dissolving.

The crystal layer is only atomic thickness – so it doesn’t take much material to have a great effect.

“This new approach features a minimal protective layer on scalable processes, paving the way for the deployment of this abundant high-voltage material for the next generation of high-energy batteries,” said Wang.

Wang said that apart from performing better and being cobalt-free, the battery operates very much like a conventional lithium-ion battery.

“The battery can be operated at a higher voltage – around 4.5V, versus 3.7V for a normal lithium-ion battery – meaning higher energy densities can be delivered,” he points out.

The researchers now plan to commercialize the technology.

“We are now in discussions with our industrial partners to assess the improved production process and to evaluate the battery’s performance under various conditions,” Wang said.

He predicts the battery can be ready to be marketed in two or three years.

Read science facts, not fiction…

There has never been a more important time to explain facts, value evidence-based knowledge, and showcase the latest scientific, technological, and engineering breakthroughs. Cosmos is published by The Royal Institution of Australia, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science. Financial contributions, however large or small, help us provide access to trusted science information at a time when the world needs it the most. Please support us by making a donation or buying a subscription today.

QuantumScape has set development milestones for the commercial launch of the battery in 2024. The company recently announced that it has met all of its internal milestones for 2021. This includes testing a 10-layer battery cell under predetermined test conditions.

Will an electric car last 20 years?

So far, a typical EV battery has proven to last around 200,000 miles, nearly 20 years. Tesla is rumored to be developing an EV battery that will last 1,000,000 miles, much longer than the vehicle average, currently 11.9 years. Major EV makers have reported several battery replacements in the last decade.

How many years do electric cars last? This reduces the range and time it takes between each trip to charge. Most manufacturers have a five to eight year warranty on their batteries. However, current predictions are that electric car batteries will last 10 – 20 years before they need to be replaced.

Will an electric car last forever?

Consumer Reports estimates that an everyday electric car battery will last up to 200,000 miles. This bike is estimated to last up to 400,000 miles. Electric car batteries are getting better every year with better durability.

How many miles can an electric car do in its lifetime?

However, drivers can expect up to 10 years or 100,000 miles of use – with reports of doubling the distance – from electric cars. As such, the lifespan of an EV is no different from that of conventional gasoline or diesel models.

Do electric cars wear out faster?

While electric vehicles have plenty of power and torque, they’re not as demanding on tires – quite the opposite. – Tires on modern electric cars will wear out much more slowly than on cars with traditional internal combustion engines. This is due to good traction control.

Can a lithium battery last 15 years?

This battery technology can increase the life of electric vehicles such as gasoline cars — by 10 to 15 years — without the need to replace batteries. With their high current density, the battery can pave the way for an electric vehicle that can be fully charged in 10 to 20 minutes.

How many years can a lithium battery last? The approximate lifetime of a Lithium-Ion battery is usually around two to three years or 300 to 500 charge cycles, whichever comes first. One charge cycle is the period of use from fully charged, to fully charged, and fully charged again.

Can lithium-ion battery last for 10 years?

So, how long do Lithium-ion batteries last? In short, the minimum most manufacturers expect from their batteries is around 3 years or 1,000 charge cycles (whichever is less).

Can a lithium battery last 20 years?

New lithium-ion batteries can last 20 years, long after you’ve damaged the devices they once used.

Can a lithium battery last 15 years?

He noted that current benchmarks are the product of accelerated tests that may not provide an accurate preview of how long the battery can actually last. Over time, Mr. Cugnet believes that if the battery pack inside an EV is properly cared for, plug-in vehicles can “reliably” last 15, maybe 20 years.

How many years do lithium batteries last?

The minimum lifespan that most manufacturers expect from lithium-ion batteries is about 5 years or at least 2,000 charge cycles. However, if properly cared for and used under the right conditions, lithium-ion batteries can last as long as 3,000 cycles.

Can a lithium battery last 20 years?

New lithium-ion batteries can last 20 years, long after you’ve damaged the devices they once used.

Will lithium battery last forever?

Typical lifespan for lithium batteries is two to three years. A good rule of thumb is that once the battery can only hold 70-80% of its original energy storage, it must be replaced.

Can a 20 year battery last?

Based on current estimates, most EV batteries will last between 10-20 years before needing to be replaced.

How many years do lithium batteries last?

The minimum lifespan that most manufacturers expect from lithium-ion batteries is about 5 years or at least 2,000 charge cycles. However, if properly cared for and used under the right conditions, lithium-ion batteries can last as long as 3,000 cycles.

Can I lithium battery last forever?

Typical lifespan for lithium batteries is two to three years. A good rule of thumb is that once the battery can only hold 70-80% of its original energy storage, it must be replaced.

Is there a battery that lasts forever?

A US start-up introduces a battery made of diamonds and nuclear waste that can last up to 28,000 years without a charge. California-based startup Nano Diamond Battery (NDB) says it is developing a radioactive diamond battery that could be used for aerospace applications.

Do lithium batteries last 10 years?

So, how long do Lithium-ion batteries last? In short, the minimum most manufacturers expect from their batteries is around 3 years or 1,000 charge cycles (whichever is less).

Can a lithium battery last 20 years? New lithium-ion batteries can last 20 years, long after you’ve damaged the devices they once used.

What is a 10 year lithium battery?

The 10-year sealed battery alarm offers multiple benefits to the millions of Americans who rely on continuous battery-powered smoke and fire detection in their homes. The alarm is powered by a long-lasting lithium battery and is sealed for 10 years, which means it is always on.

Is there such a thing as a 10 year battery?

The Ultralife 10 Year Smoke Detector Battery is the only 9V battery guaranteed to last 10 years. The alkaline batteries in smoke detectors should be replaced annually. With a 10 Year Ultralife Battery, state-of-the-art lithium technology keeps your life-saving detector energized for a full 10 years.

What is a 10 year sealed battery?

The ten year enclosed battery smoke alarm is powered by an enclosed lithium battery that has a ten year life. This alarm provides continuous protection for 10 years without the need to change batteries throughout the life of the alarm.

Will lithium battery last forever?

Typical lifespan for lithium batteries is two to three years. A good rule of thumb is that once the battery can only hold 70-80% of its original energy storage, it must be replaced.

Will lithium be the battery of the future?

In just five years, lithium-ion battery capacity is reduced by 70-90%. This short life indicates that there will be a further boost to the demand for lithium-ion batteries to replace the batteries that are widely used in battery-powered products such as electric vehicles.

How many years do lithium batteries last?

The minimum lifespan that most manufacturers expect from lithium-ion batteries is about 5 years or at least 2,000 charge cycles. However, if properly cared for and used under the right conditions, lithium-ion batteries can last as long as 3,000 cycles.

Do lithium batteries need replaced?

The battery has been used extensively over the last few years and its operating time starts to decrease after charging. As a guide, if operating time is cut in half, it is time to replace your rechargeable battery.

Do lithium batteries degrade over time?

Lithium-ion batteries, by their very nature, have steadily declined since they were first used. This is as a result of the basic chemistry of the battery, which gives rise to the inevitable chemical reactions that occur inside the battery during runtime.

How do I know if my lithium battery is bad?

There are 5 warning signs that your lithium battery is faulty:

• The capacity is reduced.
• Low voltage.
• High self-discharge rate.
• The battery is too hot.
• Bloated battery.

Are lithium batteries going bad? Lithium battery is considered as one of the best batteries which can be recharged very effectively. This does not mean that it will last forever, you have to replace it. It has a longer lifespan than other batteries and can be recharged many times.

Can you revive a lithium-ion battery?

This allows the cells to be rejuvenated whenever they appear dead. Can you revive a dead lithium-ion battery? Yes, it is possible to revive a dead lithium-ion battery using a few simple and convenient tools. However, these batteries can be very unstable especially if not handled properly.

How do you revive a completely dead lithium-ion battery?

When you take it out of the freezer, let it thaw for up to eight hours to return it to room temperature. Place the Li-ion battery in the charger and charge it fully. Hopefully, the performance will improve, will charge longer and last longer between charge cycles.

Do lithium-ion batteries degrade if not used?

Lithium-ion batteries, by their very nature, have steadily declined since they were first used. This is as a result of the basic chemistry of the battery, which gives rise to the inevitable chemical reactions that occur inside the battery during runtime.

How do you fix a lithium-ion battery that won’t charge?

How do you test a lithium battery?

Remove the battery and put a voltmeter on it and plug in the voltage you get and then put the battery in. If the battery dies or runs out of service, it will no longer charge. If the battery dies or is at the end of its life, the battery will swell slightly.

How do you test the life of a lithium-ion battery?

Do battery testers work on lithium batteries?

Old-fashioned battery testers that only measure voltage and impedance do not accurately measure the storage capacity of lithium batteries. Lithium-ion batteries maintain a constant level of internal resistance even as they age.

How do you test a lithium battery with a multimeter?

The red probe of the multimeter must be connected to the positive terminal, while the black probe must be connected to the negative terminal. After installing the multimeter probe, monitor the multimeter led display. The voltage indicator will show the battery voltage at that time.

What happens when a lithium-ion battery fails?

During certain lithium-ion battery failure, the package will emit a hissing sound. If this happens, take the device to a safe place where there are no flammable materials and try removing the battery pack. At this time, gas may escape from the battery pack or it may ignite or explode.

What is the leading cause of lithium-ion battery failure?

While lithium-ion batteries have built-in protection to stop them from overcharging, using an unauthorized charger can damage the battery in the long run. Apart from manufacturing defects, using low-quality components is one of the highest causes of battery failure.

How do you fix a lithium-ion battery that won’t charge?

Do lithium batteries fail suddenly?

Dahn stresses that voltages above 4.10V/cell at high heat cause this, a death that can be more dangerous than cycling. The longer the battery is in this state, the worse the degradation will be. Such an increase can result in a sudden loss of capacity that is difficult to predict by cycling alone.