Electric vehicles, or EVs, have gained popularity in recent years, but their travel has been limited by the average distance they can cover on a single charge. However, scientists may have found a way to increase the range of EVs without the need for battery recharging, allowing them to travel even hundreds of miles further. This new discovery was described in a scientific article published in the journal Advanced Science.
EVs are becoming increasingly popular due to technological advancements and growing awareness of the environmental impact of gasoline and diesel cars. Electric vehicles are powered by batteries, rather than fossil fuels, which means they do not emit greenhouse gases or pollutants during everyday use. Of course, the production of electricity to power these vehicles can still contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution if non-renewable energy sources are used. Advances in battery technology have enabled the increase in capacity of lithium-ion batteries, allowing electric vehicles to travel longer distances on a single charge.
Now, researchers have discovered a way to overcome even greater distances without the need for battery recharging by using microscopic particles of silicon and a gel electrolyte. Silicon is known for its high energy storage capacity, making it an ideal component for use in batteries. However, silicon can expand up to three times during charging and then shrink during discharge, which hinders its use in batteries.
Using microscopic silicon particles at the nanometer scale would solve this problem, but the production of such particles is extremely expensive and complex. In the article, the authors propose a compromise: using larger microscopic silicon particles, which is more cost-effective and feasible in terms of the production process.
To prevent the expansion of microscopic silicon during charging, researchers propose the use of a gel electrolyte. The gel electrolyte is more flexible than liquid electrolytes, which means that when silicon expands, the internal stresses in the battery dissipate more effectively, making the battery more structurally stable.
Researchers have found that the use of gel electrolyte in combination with microscopic silicon particles measuring 5 micrometers allows for battery stability. It was also discovered that the gel exhibits a 40% increase in energy density.
“This discovery brings us closer to creating truly high-energy lithium-ion batteries,” said co-author of the article, Professor of Chemistry at Pohang University of Science and Technology in South Korea, Soojin Park.
Thanks to this innovation, electric vehicles may be able to travel even further on a single charge in the future, significantly increasing their range and attractiveness to drivers.
The source of the article is from the blog maestropasta.cz