Researcher develops electric car battery to last three times longer and costs less

Tongchao Liu of the Argonne National Laboratory has created batteries for electric cars with longer lifespans and the ability to be recharged more frequently. Previously, scientists were divided on the root cause of battery failure, but the assistant chemist has discovered that the majority of flaws in lithium batteries appear at the cathode, where the current exits the battery.

During each charging cycle, the internal components of the electrode undergo expansion and contraction, causing wear and tear. In order to address this issue, Tongchao Liu has designed a new cathode structure using perovskite. This innovation triples the lifespan of the batteries and reduces manufacturing costs by 25%. Researchers have also implemented perovskite in the development of recent solar cell advancements.

The new technology eliminates the need for cobalt, a mineral which presents significant environmental and human problems. In cobalt mines, the soil becomes contaminated, depriving farmers of their livelihoods, whilst people suffer from lung diseases due to dust and pollutants in the air. The radioactivity of cobalt is also a concern for many miners. Workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Russia are particularly susceptible to financial exploitation.

In the long run, Liu aims to create novel batteries that are entirely resistant to physical strain. The MIT Technology Review included the scientist in the "35 Innovators under 35" 2023 list for their research. Even though the new batteries are not market-ready, several companies have already shown interest.