Rechargeable Research Articles

Nb1.60Ti0.32W0.08O5−δ as negative electrode active material for durable and fast-charging all-solid-state Li-ion batteries

Li-based all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) are considered feasible candidates for the development of the next generation of high-energy rechargeable batteries. However, ASSBs are detrimentally affected by a limited rate capability and inadequate performance at high currents. To circumvent these issues, here we propose the use of Nb1.60Ti0.32W0.08O5-δ (NTWO) as negative electrode active material. NTWO is capable of overcoming the limitation of lithium metal as the negative electrode, offering fast-charging capabilities and cycle stability. Physicochemical and electrochemical characterizations of NTWO in combination with the Li6PS5Cl (LPSCl) solid-state electrolyte demonstrate that the formation of LiWS2 at the electrode|electrolyte interphase is the main responsible for the improved battery performance. Indeed, when an NTWO-based negative electrode and LPSCl are coupled with a LiNbO3-coated LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2-based positive electrode, the lab-scale cell is capable of maintaining 80% of discharge capacity retention after 5000 cycles at 45 mA cm−2 at 60 °C and 60 MPa.

A Knowledge–Data Dual‐Driven Framework for Predicting the Molecular Properties of Rechargeable Battery Electrolytes

Developing rechargeable batteries that operate within a wide temperature range and possess high safety has become necessary with increasing demands. Rapid and accurate assessment of the melting points (MPs), boiling points (BPs), and flash points (FPs) of electrolyte molecules is essential for expediting battery development. Herein, we introduce Knowledge‐based electrolyte Property prediction Integration (KPI), a knowledge–data dual‐driven framework for molecular property prediction of electrolytes. Initially, the KPI collects molecular structures and properties, and then automatically organizes them into structured datasets. Subsequently, interpretable machine learning further explores the structure–property relationships of molecules from a microscopic perspective. Finally, by embedding the discovered knowledge into property prediction models, the KPI achieved very low mean absolute errors of 10.4, 4.6, and 4.8 K for MP, BP, and FP predictions, respectively. The KPI reached state‐of‐the‐art results in 18 out of 20 datasets. Utilizing molecular neighbor search and high‐throughput screening, 15 and 14 promising molecules, with and without Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number, respectively, were predicted for wide‐temperature‐range and high‐safety batteries. The KPI not only accurately predicts molecular properties and deepens the understanding of structure–property relationships but also serves as an efficient framework for integrating artificial intelligence and domain knowledge.

A Knowledge-Data Dual-Driven Framework for Predicting the Molecular Properties of Rechargeable Battery Electrolytes.

Developing rechargeable batteries that operate within a wide temperature range and possess high safety has become necessary with increasing demands. Rapid and accurate assessment of the melting points (MPs), boiling points (BPs), and flash points (FPs) of electrolyte molecules is essential for expediting battery development. Herein, we introduce Knowledge-based electrolyte Property prediction Integration (KPI), a knowledge-data dual-driven framework for molecular property prediction of electrolytes. Initially, the KPI collects molecular structures and properties, and then automatically organizes them into structured datasets. Subsequently, interpretable machine learning further explores the structure-property relationships of molecules from a microscopic perspective. Finally, by embedding the discovered knowledge into property prediction models, the KPI achieved very low mean absolute errors of 10.4, 4.6, and 4.8 K for MP, BP, and FP predictions, respectively. The KPI reached state-of-the-art results in 18 out of 20 datasets. Utilizing molecular neighbor search and high-throughput screening, 15 and 14 promising molecules, with and without Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number, respectively, were predicted for wide-temperature-range and high-safety batteries. The KPI not only accurately predicts molecular properties and deepens the understanding of structure-property relationships but also serves as an efficient framework for integrating artificial intelligence and domain knowledge.

Resource Adequacy and Integration of Renewables in Light of US, EU, and Pakistan’s Evolving Power Sector

This study investigates resource adequacy and renewable energy integration in the United States, European Union, and Pakistan amid global energy market liberalization and greenhouse gas reduction efforts. It explores how these regions are adapting to the surge in renewable sources like wind and solar, which, despite their financial and environmental benefits, challenge resource adequacy and the economic viability of traditional energy sources. In the US and EU, significant improvements have been introduced in wholesale electricity markets and capacity accreditation mechanisms, which enhanced the large-scale deployment of renewables. This shift has prompted a reevaluation of resource adequacy, leading to the increased deployment of battery storage and demand response. Presently, gas-based generation is largely upholding resource adequacy; however, future trends indicate a move towards greater consumer participation, energy efficiency, and utility-scale storage, with a decline in fossil fuel use. Pakistan aims to adopt a liberalized market structure by balancing competitive markets with legacy contracts. Public pressure is driving a shift from costly fossil-based generation to renewables. Similarly, a trend in the rise of behind-the-meter solar generation can be witnessed. In the future, Pakistan may also experience resource adequacy challenges. It will likely need to implement battery storage, demand response, and modern capacity accreditation tools, by drawing lessons from developed markets.

Simulation of a Tidal Current-Powered Freshwater and Energy Supply System for Sustainable Island Development

Sustainable development of islands cannot be achieved without the use of renewable energy to address energy and freshwater supply issues. Utilizing the widely distributed tidal current energy in island regions can enhance local energy and water supply security. To achieve economic and operational efficiency, it is crucial to fully account for the unique periodicity and intermittency of tidal current energy. In this study, a tidal current-powered freshwater and energy supply system is proposed. The marine current turbine adopts a direct-drive configuration and will be able to directly transfer the power of the turbine rotation to the seawater pump to improve the energy efficiency. Additionally, the system incorporates batteries for short-term energy storage, aimed at increasing the capacity factor of the electrolyzer. A simulation is conducted using measured inflow velocity data from a full 12 h tidal cycle. The results show that the turbine’s average power coefficient reaches 0.434, the electrolyzer’s average energy efficiency is 60.9%, the capacity factor is 70.1%, and the desalination system’s average specific energy consumption is 6.175 kWh/m3. The feasibility of the system design has been validated.

Fully sp2 Carbon-Conjugated Covalent Organic Frameworks with Multiple Active Sites for Advanced Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) hold great promise for rechargeable batteries. However, the synthesis of COFs with abundant active sites, excellent stability, and increased conductivity remains a challenge. Here, chemically stable fully sp2 carbon-conjugated COFs (sp2c-COFs) with multiple active sites are designed by the polymerization of benzo[1,2-b:3,4-b':5,6-b'']trithiophene-2,5,8-tricarbaldehyde) (BTT) and s-indacene-1,3,5,7(2H,6H)-tetrone (ICTO) (denoted as BTT-ICTO). The morphology and structure of the COF are precisely regulated from "butterfly-shaped" to "cable-like" through an in situ controllable growth strategy, significantly promoting the exposure and utilization of active sites. When the unique "cable-like" BTT-ICTO@CNT is employed as lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) cathode, it exhibits exceptional capacity (396 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 with 97.9 % active sites utilization rate), superb rate capacity (227 mAh g-1 at 5.0 A g-1), and excellent cycling performance (184 mAh g-1 over 8000 cycles at 2.0 A g-1 with 0.00365 % decay rate per cycle). The lithium storage mechanism of BTT-ICTO is exhaustively revealed by in situ Fourier transform infrared, in situ Raman, and density functional theory calculations. This work provides in-depth insights into fully sp2c-COFs with multiple active sites for high-performance LIBs.

Fully sp2 Carbon‐Conjugated Covalent Organic Frameworks with Multiple Active Sites for Advanced Lithium‐Ion Battery Cathodes

AbstractCovalent organic frameworks (COFs) hold great promise for rechargeable batteries. However, the synthesis of COFs with abundant active sites, excellent stability, and increased conductivity remains a challenge. Here, chemically stable fully sp2 carbon‐conjugated COFs (sp2c‐COFs) with multiple active sites are designed by the polymerization of benzo[1,2‐b:3,4‐b′:5,6‐b′′]trithiophene‐2,5,8‐tricarbaldehyde) (BTT) and s‐indacene‐1,3,5,7(2H,6H)‐tetrone (ICTO) (denoted as BTT‐ICTO). The morphology and structure of the COF are precisely regulated from “butterfly‐shaped” to “cable‐like” through an in situ controllable growth strategy, significantly promoting the exposure and utilization of active sites. When the unique “cable‐like” BTT‐ICTO@CNT is employed as lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) cathode, it exhibits exceptional capacity (396 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 with 97.9 % active sites utilization rate), superb rate capacity (227 mAh g−1 at 5.0 A g−1), and excellent cycling performance (184 mAh g−1 over 8000 cycles at 2.0 A g−1 with 0.00365 % decay rate per cycle). The lithium storage mechanism of BTT‐ICTO is exhaustively revealed by in situ Fourier transform infrared, in situ Raman, and density functional theory calculations. This work provides in‐depth insights into fully sp2c‐COFs with multiple active sites for high‐performance LIBs.

Emerging All-Solid-State Lithium–Sulfur Batteries: Holy Grails for Future Secondary Batteries

Emerging All-Solid-State Lithium–Sulfur Batteries: Holy Grails for Future Secondary Batteries

Simulation of Vertical Thin-Film Solar Battery under Exposure of Concentrated Solar Radiation

Simulation of Vertical Thin-Film Solar Battery under Exposure of Concentrated Solar Radiation

In Operando Health Monitoring for Lithium-Ion Batteries in Electric Propulsion Using Deep Learning

Battery management systems (BMSs) play a vital role in understanding battery performance under extreme conditions such as high C-rate testing, where rapid charge or discharge is applied to batteries. This study presents a novel BMS tailored for continuous monitoring, transmission, and storage of essential parameters such as voltage, current, and temperature in an NCA 18650 4S lithium-ion battery (LIB) pack during high C-rate testing. By incorporating deep learning, our BMS monitors external battery parameters and predicts LIB’s health in terms of discharge capacity. Two experiments were conducted: a static experiment to validate the functionality of BMS, and an in operando experiment on an electrically propelled vehicle to assess real-world performance under high C-rate abuse testing with vibration. It was found that the external surface temperatures peaked at 55 °C during in operando flight, which was higher than that during static testing. During testing, the deep learning capacity estimation algorithm detected a mean capacity deviation of 0.04 Ah, showing an accurate state of health (SOH) by predicting the capacity of the battery. Our BMS demonstrated effective data collection and predictive capabilities, mirroring real-world conditions during abuse testing.

Dendrite Growth and Dead Lithium Formation in Lithium Metal Batteries and Mitigation Using a Protective Layer: A Phase-Field Study.

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are considered one of the most promising next-generation rechargeable batteries due to their high specific capacity. However, severe dendrite growth and subsequent formation of dead lithium (Li) during the battery cycling process impede its practical application. Although extensive experimental studies have been conducted to investigate the cycling process, and several theoretical models were developed to simulate the Li dendrite growth, there are limited theoretical studies on the dead Li formation, as well as the entire cycling process. Herein, we developed a phase-field model to simulate both electroplating and stripping process in a bare Li anode and Li anode covered with a protective layer. A step function is introduced in the stripping model to capture the dynamics of dead Li. Our simulation clearly shows the growth of dendrites from a bare Li anode during charging. These dendrites detach from the bulk anode during discharging, forming dead Li. Dendrite growth becomes more severe in subsequent cycles due to enhanced surface roughness of the Li anode, resulting in an increasing amount of dead Li. In addition, it is revealed that dendrites with smaller base diameters detach faster at the base and produce more dead lithium. Meanwhile, the Li anode covered with a protective layer cycles smoothly without forming Li dendrite and dead Li. However, if the protective layer is fractured, Li metal preferentially grows into the crack due to enhanced Li-ion (Li+) flux and forms a dendrite structure after penetration through the protective layer, which accelerates the dead Li formation in the subsequent stripping process. Our work thus provides a fundamental understanding of the mechanism of dead Li formation during the charging/discharging process and sheds light on the importance of the protective layer in the prevention of dead Li in LMBs.

Economic viability of decentralised battery storage systems for single-family buildings up to cross-building utilisation

Due to the great cost decrease of photovoltaics as well as battery storage, especially in the segment of decentralised home storage, the number of grid-connected battery-supported photovoltaic systems being installed in recent years is steadily increasing. However, the scientific community has intensively discussed that lithium-based battery storage systems cannot yet be operated economically in most cases. This paper addresses the level to which the cost of lithium battery storage needs to decrease in order to be economically viable. For this purpose, the economic viability of battery storage systems in single-family buildings, multi-apartment buildings and across-buildings is analysed on the basis of a linear optimisation model and the method of the internal rate of return. The utilisation of the storage system is optimised for different battery and photovoltaic capacities on the basis of generation and consumption. The internal rate of return method is used to compare the savings resulting from the reduced consumption from the electricity grid with the investment costs and the operation and maintenance costs. In order to be able to estimate the influence of the most important parameters a sensitivity analysis is also carried out. The analysis concludes that, depending on the combination of capacities of photovoltaics, battery storage and in relation to the load profile, the battery storage costs would have to drop by at least 85% in order to generate a certain predefined return over a depreciation period of 25 years. Furthermore, the more different load profiles can be covered directly with photovoltaic electricity, e.g. in a multi-apartment building or across buildings, the less electricity needs to be stored and this reduces the benefit and the utilisation of the battery storage and therefore the specific investment costs must further decrease. Another conclusion that emerges from the sensitivity analysis is that the electricity price and the spread between the electricity price and the feed-in tariff have the greatest influence on the investment costs and profitability. Due to limited space for photovoltaics and simultaneously high consumption, self-consumption is already quite high with cross-building utilisation and can no longer be increased to the necessary extent by the battery storage system, which is why the investment costs must also be lower. The novelty of this paper lies in particular in the fact that it deals with the target costs of battery storage systems in various scenarios for certain rates of return. The analyses in this paper are intended to provide a deeper understanding of the framework conditions for the economic operation of a battery storage system in the aforementioned scenarios. However, this paper does not take into account alternative sources of income other than savings on grid consumption. The possibility of time-variable (grid) tariffs, for example, is also not considered in detail in this paper and should be analysed further in future work.

Comparative Analysis of Financial Optimization Scenarios for PV and Battery Storage Integration at Heraklion Port

The rapid expansion of renewable energy, driven by reduced installation costs, technological advancements, and political support, necessitates efficient integration strategies. This study presents a comparative analysis of financial optimization scenarios for the integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems and battery storage at Heraklion Port. By evaluating multiple strategies, the research addresses the economic viability, cost-benefit ratios, and payback periods of different configurations. This analysis considers the broader context of increasing pressure on electricity grids and the need for sustainable solutions to manage dispersed renewable production and energy offsetting. The findings aim to provide insights into optimal investment strategies that balance financial performance with energy efficiency, thereby mitigating costs passed on to consumers and supporting the goals of energy transition and sustainability in port infrastructure.

Super SEI-Forming Anion for Enhanced Interfacial Stability in Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries.

The extremely high chemical reactivity of lithium metal (Li°) electrodes and its enormous volume change during repetitive cycles cause continuous interfacial degradations in prevailing organic electrolytes, thus deteriorating the cycling performances of rechargeable lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Herein, departing from traditional wisdom on the design of electrolyte components, a super SEI-forming anion (SSA), as an efficient percussor for building stable interphases on Li° electrode, is proposed. Comprehensive investigations related to the unique anion chemistry of SSA reveal that the sulfonate and polyfluoroalkyl functionalities synergistically contribute to uniform spatial distributions of designer interfacial species, greatly improving the surface coverage property and conformal ability of the resulting interphases. Consequently, the incorporation of SSA leads to significant improvements in the cyclability of Li° electrode (exceeding 575 mAh cm-2 before failure) and the corresponding rechargeable Li°||LiFePO4 cells [a five-time increase in lifespan as compared to the benchmark cell with the popular SEI-forming anion bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (FSI)]. The present work offers a paradigm shift to tame the notorious interfacial issues via upgraded anion chemistry, which can promote the practical development of rechargeable LMBs and other kinds of metal batteries.

Application of Noninvasive Imaging Techniques for High Energy Density Lithium Metal Rechargeable Batteries

Application of Noninvasive Imaging Techniques for High Energy Density Lithium Metal Rechargeable Batteries

Hearing aid benefit in daily life: a qualitative ecological momentary assessment study

IntroductionUnderstanding hearing aid wearer experiences in real-world settings is important to provide responsive and individualized hearing care. This study aimed to describe real-life benefits of hearing aids (HAs), as reported by hearing aid wearers through Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) in various listening environments.MethodQualitative content analysis of 1,209 open-text responses, provided through self-initiated EMAs, was conducted. The de-identified data was collected retrospectively via a smartphone app compatible with these HAs. Only text responses reflecting positive hearing aid experiences were analyzed. The 1,209 open-text responses were categorized into 18 pre-determined sub-categories, further organized into five overarching categories: Conversational, Leisure, Device-related aspects, Lifestyle, and Other factors.ResultsAcross these categories, 48 self-generated meaning units highlighted the multifaceted benefits of HAs. In particular, participants reported significant improvements in conversational settings, specifically during phone conversations and meetings, attributed to improved sound quality and speech understanding when wearing their HAs. During leisure activities, particularly TV watching and music listening, clearer sound and ease of Bluetooth streaming contributed to experienced benefits. Lifestyle improvements were reported in occupational and social settings, as hearing aid wearers stated enhanced communication and sound awareness. Device-related factors contributing to positive wearer experiences included extended battery life and the convenience of rechargeable batteries. The most prominent sub-category, other factors, underscored overall satisfaction, comfort with the device, and improved auditory experiences across various environments.ConclusionThis study reveals the diverse benefits of HAs in improving communication, listening experiences, and quality of life across various settings, as captured through EMA. By emphasizing features like direct streaming and rechargeability, the findings highlight the importance of personalized hearing care and the potential of real-time listener feedback to inform device enhancements and support strategies, advancing more tailored and effective hearing rehabilitation.

Nano-rods in Ni-rich layered cathodes for practical batteries.

Lithium transition metal oxide layers, Li[Ni1-x-yCox(Mn and/or Al)y]O2, are widely used and mass-produced for current rechargeable battery cathodes. Development of cathode materials has focused on increasing the Ni content by simply controlling the chemical composition, but as the Ni content has almost reached its limit, a new breakthrough is required. In this regard, microstructural modification is rapidly emerging as a prospective approach, namely in the production of nano-rod layered cathode materials. A comprehensive review of the physicochemical properties and electrochemical performances of cathodes bearing the nano-rod microstructure is provided herein. A detailed discussion is regarding the structural stability of the cathode, which should be maximized to suppress microcrack formation, the main cause of capacity fading in Ni-rich cathode materials. In addition, the morphological features required to achieve optimal performance are examined. Following a discussion of the initial nano-rod cathodes, which were based on compositional concentration gradients, the preparation of nano-rod cathodes without the inclusion of a concentration gradient is reviewed, highlighting the importance of the precursor. Subsequently, the challenges and advances associated with the nano-rod structure are discussed, including considerations for synthesizing nano-rod cathodes and surface shielding of the nano-rod structure. It goes on to cover nano-rod cathode materials for next-generation batteries (e.g., all-solid-state, lithium-metal, and sodium-ion batteries), inspiring the battery community and other materials scientists looking for clues to the solution of the challenges that they encounter.

3D Tunnel Copper Tetrathiovanadate Nanocube Cathode Achieving Ultrafast Magnesium Storage Reactions through a Charge Delocalization and Displacement Mechanism.

Rechargeable magnesium batteries are attractive candidates for large-scale energy storage applications because of the low cost and high safety, but the scarcity and inferior performance of the cathode materials are hindering the development. In the present study, a kind of copper tetrathiovanadate (Cu3VS4) cathode is designed and developed with a comprehensive consideration of the chemical and electronic structures. The vanadium and sulfur atoms form chemical bonds with high covalent proportion, facilitating electron delocalization via the vanadium-sulfur bonds. This reduces the interaction with the bivalent magnesium cation and induces the coredox of vanadium and sulfur. The crystal structure of Cu3VS4 has interlaced 3D tunnels for solid-state magnesium cation transport. The Cu3VS4 cathode shows a high capacity of 350 mA h g-1 at 100 mA g-1, an outstanding rate performance of 67 mA h g-1 at 10 A g-1, and stable cycling for 1000 cycles at 5 A g-1 without obvious capacity fading. Prominently, a high areal mass load of 3.5 mg cm-2 could be achieved without obvious rate capability decay, which is quite favorable to pair with the high-capacity magnesium metal anode in practical application. The mechanism investigation and theoretical computation demonstrate that Cu3VS4 undergoes first a magnesium intercalation and then a displacement reaction, during which the crystal structure is maintained, assisting the reaction reversibility and cycling stability. All the copper, vanadium, and sulfur elements experience redox and contribute to the high capacity. Moreover, the weakened interaction with magnesium cations, well-kept 3D cation transport tunnels, and high electronic conductivity result in the superior rate performance and high areal active material loading. The present study develops a high-performance cathode for rechargeable magnesium batteries and reveal the design principle based on both of chemical and electronic structures.

Greening Your Drive: A Method of Effective Conversion from IC Engine Based Vehicle to EV

This research presents the most efficient method for turning vehicles with internal combustion engines (IC engines) into electric vehicles (EVs). With an emphasis on reducing the environmental footprint and optimizing energy efficiency, our strategy includes cutting-edge technology in electric powertrain parts, power electronics, and battery storage systems. This paper assesses performance indicators by thoroughly analyzing the integration of new electric drivetrain components and the retrofitting of old ones, including motor starting and energy usage. To produce energy-efficient EVs, we suggest a supercapacitor bank and an effective battery cooling system. The recommended approach, Safety concerns, environmental advantages, and economic viability are also covered. The suggested approach shows promise in terms of lower production of greenhouse gases, increased range, and cost-effectiveness. The results provide an efficient way of battery cooling system and efficient use of battery storage by integrating a supercapacitor bank. The outcomes support the worldwide trend towards environmentally sound methods of transportation by providing important insights that will accelerate the widespread use of sustainable EVs.

Nanoscale precision welding-enabled quasi-3D conductive carbon blacks for fast-charging and long-lasting secondary batteries

Robust three-dimensional (3D) conductive networks are vital for enhancing the utilization, rate capability, and lifespan of battery electrode materials, which largely relies on the selection and synergy of various conductive additives. As the spatial dimension expands from granular to tubular or lamellar, the conductivity of conductive additives continues to increase, but the cost and dispersion difficulty will sharply rise. This determines that zero-dimensional carbon black (CB) spherical nanoparticles remain the dominant component of current composite conductive additives. Herein, we disclosed a transient high-temperature welding technique that can precisely regulate the “rearrangement-fusion” behavior of carbon atoms at specific temperatures, accurately splicing the CB nanospheres into quasi-3D dendritic aggregates with appropriate spatial extension. This not only enhances the powder conductivity of CBs by 205.1 %, but also improves the processability through reducing the specific surface area. The quasi-3D CBs upgrade their contact mode with active materials from point-to-point to line-to-point, while significantly enhancing the inter-particle connection of active materials. More encouragingly, the modified CBs greatly boost the reaction kinetics, rate and cycling performance of LiFePO4 cathode and SiO@C anode, and derives fast-charging and long-lasting SiO@C//LiFePO4 full battery. Our work provides innovative solutions for upgrading the spatial conductive network within future secondary batteries.