A lithium-ion battery developed by researchers at Dalhousie University could dramatically change the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Featuring a single crystal electrode, this advanced battery can withstand more than 20,000 charge-discharge cycles before its capacity drops to 80%. This means an EV equipped with this battery could potentially cover an incredible distance of nearly five million miles (eight million kilometers).
The research, conducted over six years, was made possible with the help of the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan. The findings highlight how this new battery could play a crucial role in advancing the adoption of EVs while supporting long-term sustainability.
Governments around the world are pushing for greener transportation solutions, and EVs are at the forefront of this transition. In the United States, laws now require that EV batteries retain at least 80% of their capacity after eight years of use.
However, current battery technology often struggles to meet these standards over a vehicle’s lifetime. Experts believe that for EVs to become a true replacement for traditional vehicles, their batteries must last longer than the cars themselves.
The new single-crystal electrode battery addresses this problem directly. Unlike conventional batteries, it is designed to withstand wear and tear over time, ensuring a much longer lifespan.
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The Dalhousie University team, funded by Tesla Canada and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), studied two types of lithium-ion batteries. One used a regular electrode, while the other used an innovative single-crystal electrode.
To analyze the batteries, researchers used the ultrabright synchrotron light at CLS. This powerful tool allowed them to study the batteries at a microscopic level without dismantling them.
According to Toby Bond, senior scientist at CLS, this method enabled the team to observe the inner workings of the battery over time, shedding light on why standard batteries degrade and how the new design avoids this issue.
“The great thing about doing this kind of measurement at a synchrotron is we can actually look at this at a microscopic level without having to take the cell apart,” said Toby Bond, senior scientist at CLS, in a press release.
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In a traditional lithium-ion battery, the movement of lithium ions causes the electrode material to expand and contract during each charge and discharge cycle. Over time, this repeated stress creates tiny cracks in the material.
As these cracks grow, they weaken the electrode, eventually causing it to break apart entirely. This process reduces the battery’s capacity and shortens its lifespan.
The new battery avoids this problem by using a single crystal electrode. Unlike the fragile structure of a traditional electrode, which is composed of many tiny particles, the single-crystal electrode is solid and durable.
Researchers compared its structure to an ice cube, which can handle stress and strain without breaking, while standard electrodes are more like snowflakes in a snowball—easily damaged under pressure.
Even after six years of continuous use, the single-crystal battery showed no visible signs of degradation. It performed as well as a brand-new battery, proving its potential to outlast current battery technologies.
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One of the most exciting aspects of this breakthrough is its potential impact on sustainability. As EVs become more common, long-lasting batteries can significantly reduce waste.
Moreover, when an EV equipped with this type of battery reaches the end of its life, the battery can be repurposed for other uses, such as storing energy from solar and wind power plants. This adds another layer of environmental benefit, helping to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
This innovative battery is not just a concept. Researchers confirmed that the technology is already being developed for commercial production. Within a few years, these batteries are expected to be available in the market, making long-lasting and sustainable EVs a reality.
The study was published in the Journal of The Electrochemical Society, highlighting the importance of this development in the future of EV technology. With its durability and high performance, the single-crystal electrode battery is set to transform the industry and drive the transition toward greener transportation.
