—Tracking lithium ions in an electrolyte “A fluorescent imaging agent that binds directly to lithium ions could help researchers better understand why batteries wear out” Over time, lithium-ion batteries need more frequent recharging. And on rare occasions, the batteries can catch fire when lithium builds up on the anode, forming sharp spikes that pierce the membrane that separates the anode from the cathode. A new way to directly image lithium ions could help researchers better understand why these problems happen (ACS Sens. 2017, DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.7b00087). Randall H. Goldsmith of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and colleagues redesigned a fluorescent organic molecule that binds selectively to lithium ions so that the molecule fluoresces when excited by blue light instead of ultraviolet light, which can reduce image quality.
by Katherine Bourzac, special to C&EN | August 07, 2017
His group and others are searching for materials that may lead to a third generation of lithium-ion batteries, ones that provide even lower cost and longer peak-power solutions in the area of electric-grid storage. /articles/90/i52/Materials-Science-Lithium-Ion-Batteries.html 20121224 Lightweight batteries have come to rule portable electronics and have muscled in on heavy-duty applications Economy 90 52 /magazine/90/09052.html Materials Science: Lithium-Ion Batteries 2.0 lithium-ion battery, lithium iron phosphate, A123 Systems, hydrid-electric vehicle, portable electronics eco scitech Mitch Jacoby energy Lab analysis of lithium-ion battery electrodes, seen here on spools, ensures their suitability for applications demanding high power. Materials advances have pushed lithium-ion battery use beyond portable electronics to heavy-duty applications. For example, large-scale installations of lithium-ion cells (as shown in this cutaway) are now used in electric-grid utilities. Lithium-ion batteries power thousands of hybrid-electric buses throughout North America. Lightweight lithium-ion batteries are used to power speed-record-setting motorsports vehicles. The Buckeye Bullet, powered by lithium-ion batteries, topped 307 mph in 2010. A123 Systems A123 Systems A123 Systems A123 Systems Speed Hunters.com/Linhbergh This photo shows lab analysis of lithium-ion battery electrodes (on spools), ensuring their suitability to applications demanding high power. This image shows a cutaway image of a lithium-ion cell. This is photo of a bus that uses lithiuim-ion batteries. This is a photo of a motorcycle that is powered by a lithium-ion battery. This is a photo of the Buckeye Bullet car, powered by lithium-ion batteries and can reach speeds of 307 mph. laboratories power power power transportation power transportation power transportation Materials Science: Lithium-Ion Batteries 2.0 Chemical & Engineering News Materials Science: Lithium-Ion Batteries 2.0 Materials Science: Lithium-Ion Batteries 2.0
by Mitch Jacoby | December 24, 2012
—Lithium sulfur overtaking lithium ion? “” U.K. battery materials start-up Oxis Energy says it has developed a prototype lithium-sulfur battery cell with an energy density of 425 watt-hours per kilogram, a level significantly higher than that of lithium-ion cells currently used to power electric cars.
by Alex Scott | October 14, 2018
Researchers have been trying everything they can think of to eke more performance out of lithium-ion batteries. One approach has been to increase the mobility of lithium ions between the battery's electrodes. Another tack is to replace the graphitic anode materials into which lithium intercalates in most of today's lithium-ion batteries with metallic alloys that can host more ions in the same amount of space and therefore accommodate more of the current-generating electrochemical reaction between the anode and cathode. Early last year, for example, Sony unveiled its Nexelion line of lithium-ion batteries, which includes an anode made of an amorphous tin-based metal alloyed with cobalt, carbon, and other ingredients. The quest for practical alloys that can work well as an anode in lithium-ion batteries has been tough because the materials most often expand and contract dramatically as lithium ions move in and out.
by Ivan Amato | February 13, 2006
It’s enough charge that lithium-ion batteries could short-circuit and catch fire during shipment. Faradion has made a sodium-ion battery with an energy density—a measure of how much power can be packed into a battery cell—of 140 to 150 watt-hours per kilogram.This compares with about 170 Wh per kg for lithium-ion cells based on cathodes made of lithium cobalt oxide.
by Alex Scott | July 20, 2015
—Decoding Lithium-ion Conductivity In Solids “Electrochemistry: Understanding ion diffusion in mixed lithium phases may lead to solid electrolytes and safer batteries” Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries power nearly all of today’s electricity-hungry portable gadgets and tools. Although they boast extreme reliability, the cells’ flammable liquid organic electrolyte solution poses a minute but potentially serious hazard.
by Mitch Jacoby | July 13, 2015
—Scandinavian firms to recycle lithium-ion batteries “” The Swedish battery start-up Northvolt and Norwegian metal producer Hydro have created a joint venture firm, Hydro Volt, that will build a recycling plant in Fredrikstad, Norway, for lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles. Due to open in 2021, the plant will have initial capacity to crush and sort over 8,000 metric tons of batteries per year.
by Alex Scott | June 05, 2020