Battery scientists tackle the dendrite problem
To make powerful lithium-metal batteries, researchers must find ways to stop these spiky structures from growing
lithium-ion batteries have revolutionized the way we power our gadgets, and they even nabbed the Nobel Prize in Chemistry this year.
But scientists want to make even more powerful versions.
Replacing the graphite anodes in Li-ion batteries with lithium-metal ones could double the batteries’ charge capacity.
But dendrites—spiky lithium structures that can accumulate on the anode during charging—can short-circuit batteries, posing a serious safety hazard.
So scientists are working to master the dendrite problem by investigating how the structures grow and by developing solutions to suppress them, such as building physical barriers or using solid electrolytes to halt dendrite growth.
Watch this video to learn more.
See more here: acs.org
Header image: Physics Central
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Howdy
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“Lithium dendrites are formed when extra lithium ions accumulate on the anode surface and cannot be absorbed into the anode in time”
https://www.batterypoweronline.com/news/a-look-inside-your-battery-watching-the-dendrites-grow/
Perhaps not forcing such a fast reaction might help? You know, let absorption go at it’s safe pace. I know that means nothing to these lunatics.
I have loads of lithium cells and they don’t ignite under charging. I believe it’s called charging at a safe rate…
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Michael Clarke
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And won’t the big battery producers suppress such a solution if one can be found, Like a SLOW charger which puts the EV out of touch for most users.
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Jerry Krause
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Hi Michael,
Good to read that you are still alive and kicking. I was going to make this comment before but decided no. This comment is that NOTHING IS SO FAST THAT IT IS INSTANTANEOUS. I have no idea how fast modern technology is able to recharge the battery that grows dendrites but I suspect it is still several times longer than it would be to fill a pickup’s fuel tank.
Long ago I read that a practical solution was to have a battery station where the discharged battery was exchanged with a charged one. You asked: “And won’t the big battery producers suppress such a solution if one can be found?” I ask: Isn’t this old solution made to order for the ‘big battery producers???
Have a good day, Jerry
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Robert Beatty
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Apparently the answer is to charge using DC power. See https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2022-02-08/new-u-s-plant-a-fantastic-opportunity-tritium-ceo-says-video
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Howdy
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I saw nothing about DC in the video. My comments are based on what I heard.
It’s stated glycol liquid cooling is used instead of air flow, but does not state if the heat is removed by forced air, convection or radiation, or even if fans are included at all. Nor is it stated if the heat-exchanger is a flat radiator or a matrix, which makes a massive difference.
Contaminated dusty air is still required for cooling though, and since a filter is not included the equipment will need maintenance eventually to forestall efficiency losses at least due to dust, corrosion etc. is it really a benefit other than long term maintenance cost?
One of the design choices is because of contamination of electronics? Why not attach the power components to a stout finned casing and do away with the liquid? It works.
Lithium is only ever charged with DC, Robert. The charger simply converts the incoming AC mains. A DC supply to the actual charger network means new cables and other provisions. Early mains was DC in places until the benefits of AC were realized.
Maybe pulsing charge might be of some benefit, but charge acceptance is only so much. If say, you replaced a 100 amp alternator on a car with a 200 amp, it will make no difference in charge time if the battery cannot accept the increased charge current, which still depends on the charge voltage. Regardless, the time to finish the charge off completely is still extended. That’s the way it is. I know (non electric) vehicles use largely lead-acid, but the principle still applies.
You can force charge more using much higher voltages but for one, in a vehicle environment such action is destructive, dangerous and foolhardy if pushed too far (15 volts is the absolute maximum I would think because a lot of electronics for cars has 16 volt rated components and it is bad practice to run so close to a max voltage rating). Second, the battery component life will range from low to mediocre in every other environment.
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yougottaloveme
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If they give the batteries the vax, won’t they be immune to spikey things?
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Hans
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Love me, with a simply sentence, you found the solution to a
complex problem. Nobell Prize, I say!
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