The Lawrence Berkeley National Lab has made a breakthrough resulting in longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries. Berkeley says the key is in the creation of a new polymer binder surrounding silicon particles that make up the anode of the battery. In existing li-on batteries, the silicon is surrounded by a binding material such as PVDF, mixed with particles of carbon to allow it to conduct electricity. The problem is, as silicon absorbs electricity (charging the battery), it expands to three times its original size or more. As the battery discharges, it shrinks again. Over hundreds of charge/discharge cycles, this causes the surrounding binder to break down, eventually causing the battery to lose its ability to hold a charge.
The new binder conducts electricity itself (negating the need to add carbon particles to it) and clings tightly to the silicon as it expands and contracts. Furthermore, production of the new polymer is affordable and practical.
“The whole manufacturing process is low cost and compatible with established manufacturing technologies.”, says Gao Liu of Berkley Lab’s Environmental Energy Technologies Division (EETD).
While this provides a much needed improvement in lithium-ion batteries we rely on for practically all portable computers and cellphones used today, it only addresses part of the problem. Lab researchers are already looking at another component of li-on batteries, the cathode, as a potential area for further improvement.
Comments are closed.