With its remarkable ability to withstand more than 20,000 charge-discharge cycles while retaining 80 percent capacity, a novel lithium-ion battery with a single crystal electrode has raised the bar for electric vehicle (EV) technology. After six years of intense testing, Dalhousie University researchers reached this milestone, which correlates to an EV’s theoretical driving range of around five million miles (eight million kilometers).
This innovation addresses a key challenge in EV adoption: ensuring batteries can outlast the vehicle itself. Meeting U.S. regulations requiring batteries to retain 80 percent capacity after eight years of operation is already ambitious. However, extending battery lifespan could revolutionize energy storage systems, allowing used EV batteries to be repurposed for renewable energy projects.
Researchers worked with the University of Saskatchewan’s Canadian Light Source (CLS) to identify the processes underlying battery deterioration. The researchers, with support from NSERC and Tesla Canada, tested two types of lithium-ion batteries: one with a single crystal electrode and the other with a typical electrode. Without taking the batteries apart, they performed a microscopic analysis using CLS’s ultrabright synchrotron radiation.
The study revealed that traditional batteries suffer from microscopic cracks caused by lithium-induced expansion and contraction of electrode material, eventually leading to pulverization. In contrast, the single crystal electrode displayed no such degradation, with six-year-old cells virtually indistinguishable from new ones.
The breakthrough lies in the structural difference: conventional electrodes consist of fragile, snowball-like particles, while single crystal electrodes are robust, ice cube-like structures. This resilience ensures greater longevity, positioning these batteries to surpass other EV components in durability.
Researchers believe this innovation is a pivotal step toward making EVs more sustainable and reducing their carbon footprint. With commercial production underway, these advanced batteries are expected to hit the market soon, potentially transforming the future of transportation and renewable energy.