Researchers have developed a lithium metal battery (LMB) that can operate for extended periods at temperatures of up to 100 degrees Celsius. Such batteries retain almost 93 percent of their capacity after 450 charge cycles. Traditional LMBs that are exposed to high temperatures break down much faster.
Lithium-ion batteries used today work very well in everyday devices. However, certain sectors, such as heavy industry, require batteries that can withstand more impact. Researchers are therefore looking at LMBs, among other things. They are lighter than lithium-ion batteries and theoretically have a higher capacity. However, there are still challenges to overcome, such as a short lifespan and safety issues.
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong now say they have taken a step in the right direction. They have developed LMBs that last long at high temperatures. LMBs that have been developed so far suffer from dendrite growth. This is the formation of tree-like crystal structures, or dendrites, on the electrodes of a battery. Such dendrites cause the capacity to decrease rapidly and also pose a fire hazard.
The researchers’ battery doesn’t have that problem. A prototype battery they made could survive 450 charging cycles at temperatures of up to 100 degrees Celsius. After that, it still had a capacity of 92.7 percent. The researchers published a study about it in the journal Advanced Science.
Machines and cars
Such batteries could be used in a variety of applications in the future. They are suitable for use in heavy industries where high temperatures are common, such as in the oil and gas industry, heavy machinery and medical equipment that needs to be sterilized. They could also be useful in electric cars that often experience high temperatures during intensive driving and charging.
So far, it’s just a prototype. It’s not yet clear whether the technology is scalable and how much such batteries would cost. Still, the researchers say their discovery is significant. “We believe this innovation opens the door to new battery chemistries that could revolutionize rechargeable batteries for high-temperature applications with a focus on safety and longevity,” says Jingyi Gao, lead author of the paper.
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Source: www.bright.nl
