3500-cycle lithium-sulfur battery, promise of e-mobility

The fibrous structure of the cartilage promotes new upgrades to lithium-sulfur batteries

(Rinnovabili.it) – New big promise for the world of electric vehicles? Comes from Lithium-sulfur battery University of Michigan. Here, with the help of Mother Nature, a team of scientists put their hands on structural design to solve one of the major problems of the Li-S connection.

This technology provides the basics 5 times more storage capacity For traditional lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. Along with high energy density Reduced costs – Using sulfur instead of lithium – This is a very interesting solution for saving electricity. However, over the years, lithium-sulfur batteries have faced a major technical hurdle: The Very limited number of charge / discharge cycles.

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The main problem with this technology lies in the progressive loss of active material from the electrode (so-called) Effetto mix Lithium polysulfide) which determines a shorter service life. Obviously, there is no shortage of studies to increase its duration. “There are many reports of lithium-sulfur batteries having a few hundred cycles, but other parameters were obtained at cost: capacity, charge rate, flexibility and safety “, The professor explains Nicholas Godov Head of American Research. “Today’s challenge is to create a battery that increases the speed of rotation […] Meets many needs including costs.

New joint blocking lithium polysulfide

The University of Michigan has a solution accepted by scientists New membrane inspired by the fibrous structure of cartilage e Made of a network of recycled aramid nanofibers from Kevlar. The membrane allows ions to pass between the electrodes, but prevents lithium polysulfide particles from causing the mixing effect. “Inspired by biological ion channels, we have designed a kind of highway for lithium ions that lithium polysulfides can not cross the tolls.“The researcher said Ahmed Emre, ‘S first co-author Article published in Nature Communications.

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According to Kotto, this is an “almost perfect” design. Showed life-induced battery Theoretical maximum capacity close to 1268 mAh / g e 3500 charge / discharge cycles. The device also knows how to handle the extreme temperatures of vehicle life from the heat of charging in full sun to the cold of winter. However, with fast charging approaching 1,000 cycles life in the real world can be short. Equivalent value for a period of ten years.