Battery Technology Research Articles

Factors Governing the Presodiation Degree of Hard Carbon Anode for Sodium Ion Batteries

Abstract This study explores the improvement of sodium-ion batteries by presodiating hard carbon anodes, with the goal of reducing initial capacity loss and enhancing the overall electrochemical performance of full cells. Using Na-biphenyl for presodiation and exploring its effects under various conditions—such as electrolyte composition and electrode loading—alongside two different cathode configurations (Na-stoichiometry Na3V2(PO4)3 and Na-deficient Na0.44MnO2), we seek to elevate the overall electrochemical performance of sodium-ion batteries. Our findings reveal the significance of finely tuning presodiation conditions leading to significant improvements in both initial Coulombic Efficiency and the cycling stability of full cells. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the solid electrolyte interface formed through both chemical and electrochemical presodiation methods reveals significant similarities in impedance characteristics. This research provides valuable insights into the impact of presodiation on hard carbon anodes, offering a pathway to enhance the practical application of presodiation technology for sodium-ion batteries.

A Highly Effective Polysulfide-Trapping Approach for the Development of High Energy Density, Scalable Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Abstract Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are identified as one of the most promising next-generation battery technologies owing to their high theoretical specific energy, sustainability, and affordability. However, the commercialization of Li-S batteries has been hindered by severe technical challenges, including the lithium polysulfide (PS) dissolution/shuttling effect, a major cause of fast capacity degradation over cycling. We demonstrated that nanolayer polymer coated high surface area porous carbons (NPCs) were coated directly on sulfur electrodes (NPC-S), which led to a high specific capacity of ~1,600 mAh/g approaching the theoretical specific capacity limit. The NPC-S based Li-S batteries maintained their large initial specific capacity gain compared with the Baseline-S based Li-S batteries (control) over extended cycles. Our experimental and computational results suggest that NPC coated on sulfur electrodes provides not only an effective and strong PS-trapping power but also an increased redox reaction kinetics during battery charge and discharge, rendering the realization of near-theoretical discharge specific capacity in the NPC-S based Li-S batteries. The findings presented in this study may inspire a new, simple, low-cost, and commercially scalable approach, without adding any appreciable dead weight or volume to the batteries, in the effort to tackle the technical challenges facing SOA Li-S batteries.

Development of the ReaxFF Reactive Force Field for Li/Mn/O Battery Technology with Application to Design a Self-Healing Cathode Electrolyte Interphase

Development of the ReaxFF Reactive Force Field for Li/Mn/O Battery Technology with Application to Design a Self-Healing Cathode Electrolyte Interphase

Advancing Post‐Secondary Batteries under Lean Electrolyte Conditions through Interfacial Modification Strategies

AbstractIn response to the growing global demand for portable electronics and electric vehicles, there is an escalating interest in developing advanced battery technologies with superior energy density. Research efforts are focused on unveiling post‐lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) that outperform the performance of current LIBs through the use of innovative active electrode materials. Yet, these technological advancements face significant hurdles, primarily due to intricate interfacial issues within battery components. In laboratory‐scale studies, these challenges often lead to the utilization of excess electrolytes, which complicates the precise evaluation of battery performance. This review emphasizes the significance of designing future batteries that operate effectively under lean electrolyte usage conditions. It discusses essential principles, obstacles, and diverse strategies for interfacial modification, including in situ growth, coating of supportive layers, and embedding of active substances in pre‐structured templates. Furthermore, it compiles and examines data on the lean electrolyte conditions achieved in various battery systems, contrasting their energy densities with those of commercially established batteries. Ultimately, the potential of future batteries to achieve or even exceed the energy densities of existing commercial batteries is assessed, thereby offering a strategic roadmap for the progression of next‐generation battery technologies.

Multidisciplinary Design Methodology for Micro-Gas-Turbines—Part I: Reduced Order Component Design and Modeling

Abstract Ultramicrogas turbines (UMGTs) for electric power generation up to 1 kW are a viable replacement technology for lithium batteries in drones due to their high energy density. Previous research has shown that small-scale effects disqualify conceptual design practices applied to larger gas turbines owing to highly coupled, nonlinear component interactions. To fill this gap, we propose an interdisciplinary conceptual design and analysis framework based on reduced order models. To this end, the current work is divided into two parts covering component design and system integration, analysis, and optimization. In Part I, automated conceptual design of all engine subcomponents is elaborated facilitating interdependent reduced order models for compressor, turbine, combustor and high-speed generator while also considering additive manufacturing constraints. In a second step, the reduced order performance models are compared to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) Reynolds-averaged-Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations of various turbomachinery geometries as well as experimental data of combustor and high-speed generator prototypes, showing good agreement and thus validating the component modules. In conclusion, the first part of this work elaborates an automated and efficient method to conceptual design of all components required for a functional UMGT. Since the strategy is applicable independent of component arrangement and engine layout, the proposed methods offer a universal framework for small gas turbine generators.

Electrochemical benefits of conductive polymers as a cathode material in LFP battery technology

Electrochemical benefits of conductive polymers as a cathode material in LFP battery technology

Lamellar Nanoporous Metal/Intermetallic Compound Heterostructure Regulating Dendrite-Free Zinc Electrodeposition for Wide-Temperature Aqueous Zinc-Ion Battery.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are attractive post-lithium battery technologies for grid-scale energy storage because of their inherent safety, low cost and high theoretical capacity. However, their practical implementation in wide-temperature surroundings persistently confronts irregular zinc electrodeposits and parasitic side reactions on metal anode, which leads to poor rechargeability, low Coulombic efficiency and short lifespan. Here we report lamellar nanoporous Cu/Al2Cu heterostructure electrode as a promising anode host material to regulate high-efficiency and dendrite-free zinc electrodeposition and stripping for wide-temperatures aqueous zinc-ion batteries. In this unique electrode, the interconnective Cu/Al2Cu heterostructure ligaments not only facilitate fast electron transfer but work as highly zincophilic sites for zinc nucleation and deposition by virtue of local galvanic couples while the interpenetrative lamellar channels serving as mass transport pathways. As a result, it exhibits exceptional zinc plating/stripping behaviours in aqueous hybrid electrolyte of diethylene glycol dimethyl ether and Zn(OTf)2 at wide temperatures ranging from 25°C to -30°C, with ultralow voltage polarizations at various current densities and ultralong lifespan of >4000 hours. The outstanding electrochemical properties enlist full cell of zinc-ion batteries constructed with nanoporous Cu/Al2Cu anode host material and ZnxV2O5/C cathode to maintain high capacity and excellent stability for >5000 cycles at 25°C and -30°C. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Multiagent Q-Learning Approach for the Recharging Scheduling of Electric Automated Guided Vehicles in Container Terminals

In recent years, advancements in battery technology have led to increased adoption of electric automated guided vehicles in container terminals. Given how critical these vehicles are to terminal operations, this trend requires efficient recharging scheduling for automated guided vehicles, and the main challenges arise from limited charging station capacity and tight vehicle schedules. Motivated by the dynamic nature of the problem, the recharging scheduling problem for an entire vehicle fleet given capacitated stations is formulated as a Markov decision process model. Then, it is solved using a multiagent Q-learning (MAQL) approach to produce a recharging schedule that minimizes the delay of jobs. Numerical experiments show that under a stochastic environment in terms of vehicle travel time, MAQL enables the exploration of better scheduling by coordinating across the entire vehicle fleet and charging facilities and outperforms various benchmark approaches, with an additional improvement of 18.8% on average over the best rule-based heuristic and 5.4% over the predetermined approach. Funding: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 72101203], the Shaanxi Provincial Key R&D Program, China [Grant 2022KW-02], and the Singapore Maritime Institute [Grant SMI-2017-SP-002]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2022.0113 .

Titanium Substitution Facilitating Oxygen and Manganese Redox in Sodium Layered Oxide Cathode

AbstractSodium layered oxide with anion redox activity (SLO‐A) stands out as a promising cathode material for sodium‐ion batteries due to its impressive capacity and high voltage resulting from Mn‐ and O‐redox processes. However, the SLO‐A faces significant challenges in cycling stability and rate performance, primarily due to the poor reversibility and sluggish kinetics of the O‐redox. In this study,a novel Ti‐doped material, Na2/3Li2/9Mn53/72Ti1/24O2 (NLMTO), exhibiting remarkable characteristics such as a notable rate capacity (130 mAh g−1 at 3C, where 1C equals 200 mA g−1) and excellent cycling retention (85.4% after 100 cycles at 0.5C) is introduced. Employing electrochemical differential analyses, the contributions to the superior performance arising from the Mn‐ and O‐redox processes are quantitatively delineated. The optimized performance of NLMTO is attributed, in part, to the enhanced stability of both bulk and interface structures. The introduction of Ti through substitution not only contributes to this stability but also allows for the fine‐tuning of the material's electron configurations. This is achieved by augmenting the density of states near the Fermi energy level, as well as elevating the O 2p and Mn 3d orbits. This research advances sodium‐ion battery technology.

Vacuum Evaporation Plating Enabling ≤ 10µm Ultrathin Lithium Foils for Lithium Metal Batteries.

Lithium (Li) metal is widely recognized as a viable candidate for anode material in future battery technologies due to its exceptional energy density. Nevertheless, the commercial Li foils in common use are too thick (≈100µm), resulting in a waste of Li resources. Herein, by applying the vacuum evaporation plating technology, the ultra-thin Li foils (VELi) with high purity, strong adhesion, and thickness of less than 10µm are successfully prepared. The manipulation of evaporation temperature allows for convenient regulation of the thickness of the fabricated Li film. This physical thinning method allows for fast, continuous, and highly accurate mass production. With a current density of 0.5mAcm-2 for a plating amount of 0.5mAhcm-2, VELi||VELi cells can stably cycle for 200h. The maximum utilization of Li is already more than 25%. Furthermore, LiFePO4||VELi full cells present excellent cycling performance at 1C (1C = 155mAhg-1) with a capacity retention rate of 90.56% after 240 cycles. VELi increases the utilization of active Li and significantly reduces the cost of Li usage while ensuring anode cycling and multiplication performance. Vacuum evaporation plating technology provides a feasible strategy for the practical application of ultra-thin Li anodes.

3D Ternary Alloy Artificial Interphase Toward Ultra‐Stable and Dendrite‐Free Aqueous Zinc Batteries

AbstractRechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) are one of the most promising post‐lithium battery technologies due to their low cost, high safety, and environmental friendliness. However, their practical development is hindered by the issues of Zn metal anodes, including dendrite growth, passivation, hydrogen evolution and other side reactions. Herein, to circumvent these issues, a facile and universal alloy electrodeposition strategy is proposed to construct a 3D structured ternary Zn alloy artificial interphase layer on Zn foil as an anode for high‐performance AZIBs. The density functional theory (DFT) theoretical calculations, in situ optical visualization and spectroscopic results validate that the zincophilic Zn─Sn─Bi@Zn ternary alloy anode with lower migration energy barrier and weak hydrogen adsorption sites can promote the uniform Zn deposition and suppress hydrogen evolution reactions. The Zn─Sn─Bi@Zn//NH4V4O10 full cell demonstrates a high specific capacity 110.4 mAh g−1 even after 10 000 cycles at 5.0 A g−1. Notably, the full cell with a high NH4V4O10 cathode loading mass of ≈20.0 mg cm−2 maintains cyclic stability for 400 cycles. This work proposes an innovative Zn‐based ternary alloy anode methodology as a design strategy for advanced AZIBs and beyond.

Innovative design of silicon-core mesoporous carbon composite for high performance anode material in advanced lithium-ion batteries

Silicon is widely recognized as an exceptionally auspicious anode material for lithium−ion batteries due to its remarkable specific capacity, suitable operational potential, and ecologically innocuous characteristics. This study presents a novel silicon@void@FC (fibrous carbon) composite anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Utilizing a one-step synthesis approach, the resulting hollow core–shell structure, combined with a mesoporous carbon shell, demonstrates exceptional electrochemical performance. The Si@Void@FC electrode exhibits remarkable cycle stability and rate performance, maintaining structural integrity over 500 cycles without observable degradation. The outer carbon shell acts as a protective layer and accommodates silicon volume expansion during cycling, preventing excessive contact with the electrolyte. The rich mesoporous structure facilitates efficient lithium-ion diffusion, enhancing lithiation and delithiation processes. The simplified one-step synthesis method further streamlines the preparation process, eliminating the need for complete silica template formation. This innovative Si@Void@FC composite material holds promise for advancing lithium-ion battery technology, addressing challenges associated with silicon-based anode materials, and offering insights into the design and synthesis of high-performance energy storage materials.

Integrately design hybrid lithium-air battery based on the nasicon solid electrolyte and zinc single atoms electrochemical catalysts

The instability of lithium metal and insoluble discharging products, Li2O2, has been a formidable challenge that hinders the widespread implementation of lithium-air batteries (LABs). Hybrid electrolyte-based LABs have been proposed as one of the most promising strategies to solve these issues. However, the complex device designs together with a suitable solid electrolyte membrane is one of the key parameters that determine the battery run. Herein, we present a novel approach featuring a three-phase “organic-solid-aqueous” hybrid electrolyte for LABs, incorporating a NASICON-based solid electrolyte and zinc single atoms catalysts. It is clarified that Li[Formula: see text]Al[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text](PO4)3 (LATP) shows much-enhanced stability compared with the pulverization of Li[Formula: see text]Al[Formula: see text]Ge[Formula: see text](PO4)3 (LAGP) by the reduction of Ge upon the Li[Formula: see text] transport across. Combined with the bifunction of Zn SAs/CNF catalysts in ORR/OER, the 4[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] pathway has been proven to be established as a primary contributor to the battery’s high efficiency, which can well run over 100 h in the ambient air at room temperature. These innovative methodologies and insights hold promise for advancing the practical application of safe LABs and may extend to various air battery technologies.

Beyond lithium-ion: emerging frontiers in next-generation battery technologies

The rapid advancement of technology and the growing need for energy storage solutions have led to unprecedented research in the field of metal-ion batteries. This perspective article provides a detailed exploration of the latest developments and future directions in energy storage, particularly focusing on the promising alternatives to traditional lithium-ion batteries. With solid-state batteries, lithium-sulfur systems and other metal-ion (sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium) batteries together with innovative chemistries, it is important to investigate these alternatives as we approach a new era in battery technology. The article examines recent breakthroughs, identifies underlying challenges, and discusses the significant impact of these new frontiers on various applications–from portable electronics to electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage. Against the backdrop of a shifting paradigm in energy storage, where the limitations of conventional lithium-ion batteries are being addressed by cutting-edge innovations, this exploration offers insights into the transformative potential of next-generation battery technologies. The article further aims to contribute to the ongoing scientific dialogue by focusing on the environmental and economic implications of these technologies.

Customized Tricycle for Patient with Disabilities

Mobility of physically disabled persons is a concerning social issue nowadays. The basic Tricycle is a three- wheeled design, pedaled by disabled persons in the side and seat in the middle for sitting arrangement. They use only one hand to steer the handle because other-hand is used to rotate the pedal. Our aim is to design a low-cost tricycle that will allows person to accelerate and steer the tricycle from a single place. The way the Bike Chair works is the back is essentially a regular bicycle, but the front turns it into a tricycle, and sort-of makes it a wheelchair and bicycle combo. The disabled passenger sits on the front two wheels, as the driver uses their front wheels to steer the bike. The passenger has buckles and strap to secure the min place and top even them from falling out of the chair during the bike-ride. Furthermore, the tricycle's compact size, maneuverability, and zero emissions make it an attractive option for reducing traffic congestion and pollution in densely populated urban areas. Future research directions include optimization of battery and motor technologies for enhanced performance and efficiency, as well as integration of smart features for improved user experience and safety.

Electrochemical cobalt oxidation in chloride media

The green transition, despite recent advances in cobalt-free battery technologies, is still highly dependent on the availability of critical cobalt-based materials. Consequently, there has been increasing interest towards the development of new methods that maximize critical metals recovery from industrial hydrometallurgical solutions. In the current study, direct anodic oxidation of cobalt species from cobalt chloride solutions was studied as one alternative future strategy for cobalt recovery. Electrochemical methods were used (cyclic voltammetry, potentiostatic anodic deposition) and the effect of pH, temperature, and the concentration of cobalt and chloride ions on cobalt precipitation were investigated. The increase of pH and temperature was shown to stabilize the electrochemical oxidation of cobalt, while a decrease in cobalt concentration had a negative effect on precipitation. Scanning Electron Microscope, Atomic Force Microscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy were exploited to evaluate the morphology, structure, and composition of obtained anodic product. Calculated for potentiostatic anodic deposition (at highest studied potential of 1300 mV vs. Ag/AgCl) nucleation mechanism shows that the rate of nucleation for oxygen-cobalt species is faster than the subsequent growth rate of nuclei (instantaneous mechanism). XPS results confirmed that mixed Co3O4/Co(OH)2/CoOOH precipitate could be obtained by optimized anodic potentiostatic deposition in the range from 900 to 1150 mV and pH from 3 to 6 at 60 °C.

Optimal design and analysis of a grid‐connected hybrid renewable energy system using HOMER Pro: A case study of Tumbatu Island, Zanzibar

AbstractThis study addresses the pressing issue of quality electricity access in remote regions, with a specific focus on Tumbatu Island in Tanzania. Most studies on quality improvement concentrate on low‐voltage distribution lines and leave high‐voltage (HV) transmission lines behind. It is essential to address quality issues in HV lines due to their critical role in electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure. The objective of the study is to improve the voltage profile on the island's HV transmission line by identifying the optimal hybrid energy system comprising solar PV, wind turbine, and battery technologies. The study begins by presenting the total power demand and consumption on Tumbatu Island, which are important factors in designing an efficient energy system. The findings reveal a power demand of 7173 kW and a consumption of 28540 kWh/day, with an average scaled value of 1507.9 and 6000 kWh/day. To achieve the desired voltage profile improvement, the research incorporates HOMER Pro software for simulating and analyzing various hybrid system configurations. Essential input parameters, such as costs, resources, technology components, and load, are considered in the simulation process. The software generates a ranked list of options based on the system's net present cost (NPC). The simulation results demonstrate that the integration of solar PV, wind turbine, and HV lines provides a substantial improvement in the voltage profile, increasing it from 29.6 to 31.23 kV during peak demand periods. This solution proves to be the most economically viable, with the lowest NPC of $4,003,851 and a relatively short payback period of 3.79 years. In addition, a sensitivity analysis is performed to identify the most influential parameter in the system's performance. Wind speed is found to have the greatest impact, emphasizing its significance in the design and operation of the hybrid energy system. The implementation of this optimal hybrid renewable energy system on Tumbatu Island will not only improve the voltage profile and meet the island's energy needs but also shall contribute to global efforts in reducing pollution and the cost of electricity to the Tumbatu Island population. Moreover, it addresses the current and future demands for clean energy, underlining its importance in achieving sustainable and accessible electricity in sub‐Saharan Africa and beyond.

The advances and opportunities of developing solid-state battery technology: Based on the patent Information Relation Matrix

There is a long way for solid-state batteries from the laboratory to large-scale application and commercialization. To overcome a series of challenges, researchers and innovators seek to further understand the processing-structure-properties relationships of solid-state batteries. However, less literature explores the advances and opportunities in solid-state battery technology based on patent analysis. The paper adopts the technology of Natural Language Processing (NLP) to analyze patent documents and reveal the advances and opportunities for developing solid-state battery technology by constructing the patent Information Relation Matrix (IRM). This paper finds innovation activities in developing solid-state batteries have been increasingly active in recent decades, but are uneven across organizations. The electrolyte is a priority area of technology development, and the advances in developing solid-state batteries are perfecting conductivity, reducing interfacial resistance, and improving density and stability. By contrast, the opportunities are to reduce cost, prevent short circuits, and prolong the life cycle. The paper perfects the extant method of constructing IRM and gives insight into the advances and opportunities for developing solid-state batteries. Our findings can help innovators better understand advances in solid-state batteries or opportunities for developing solid-state batteries, from a global perspective.

Application of Real-Life On-Road Driving Data for Simulating the Electrification of Long-Haul Transport Trucks

The worldwide commitment to the electrification of road transport will require a broad overhaul of equipment and infrastructure. Heavy-duty trucks account for over one-third of on-road energy use. Electrified roadways (e-Hwys) are an emerging technology where electric vehicles receive electricity while driving via dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT), which is becoming highly efficient, and can bypass the battery to directly serve the motor. A modeling study was undertaken to compare long-haul trucks on e-Hwys with conventional battery technology requiring off-road recharging to assess the most favorable pathway to electrification. Detailed data taken from on-road driving trips from five diesel transport trucks were obtained for this study. This on-road data provided the simulations with both real-life duty cycles as well as performance targets for electric trucks, enabling an assessment and comparison of their performance on e-Hwys or with fast recharging. Battery-only trucks were found to have lifetimes down to 60% original battery capacity (60% SOH) of up to 9 years with 1600 kWh packs, and were similar to conventional diesel truck performance. On e-Hwys smaller pack sizes in the 500 to 900 kWh capacity range were sufficient for the driving duty, and showed lifetimes upwards of 20 years, comparing favorably to the battery calendar life limit of about 26 years. For a 535 kWh battery pack, an e-Hwy DWPT level of 250 kW was sufficient for a 36 tonne truck to complete all the daily driving as defined by the diesel reference trucks, and reach a battery pack end of life point of 60% SOH.

The Solvation Structure of Localized High Concentration Electrolytes

AbstractThe development of liquid electrolytes receives significant attention within the field of battery research. New concepts are emerging, and one of these groundbreaking ideas is localized high concentration electrolytes (LHCEs). The fundamental characteristic of this type of electrolyte is related to its solvation structure. However, despite the progress made, the solvation process and its relationship towards physicochemical and electrochemical properties are not yet fully understood. A comprehensive understanding of LHCEs and their solvation structure requires further dedicated research and analysis. This concept review offers a thorough examination of the design principles governing LHCEs, elucidates methodologies for investigating solvation structures, connects these insights to interphase chemistry, and explores potential applications in future battery technology.