Elastomers are synthetic rubbers derived from petroleum byproducts. They have greater stability than natural rubber we get from trees. Therefore there’s a good chance our window and door seals, and automobile tires are synthetic rubber. Now scientists at Georgia Institute of Technology have come up with a revolutionary rubber battery for e-vehicles.
Why We Need a Revolutionary Rubber Battery for E-Vehicles
Electric vehicles need cost-effective, safe, longer-lasting batteries that won’t explode during use, or harm the environment. However, conventional lithium-ion ones shuttle their ions through liquid electrolyte, and the result is an inherently unstable product. Even the slightest damage can leak into the electrolyte, leading to explosion or fire according to Science Daily.
This potential safety risk spurred research into inorganic, solid-state electrolytes. Popular materials include ceramics, and organic polymers. But these are ‘hard to make, expensive and are not environmentally friendly,’ according to Seung Woo Lee. He is associate professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology.
A Superior Rubber-Based Organic Polymer
The researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology examined known polymer electrolytes first, but found they retarded ion movement and were mechanically unstable. They formed a three-dimensional, interconnected plastic crystal phase within a robust rubber matrix instead. And then observed high ionic conductivity, superior mechanical properties and electrochemical stability.
Benefits of the New Method
1… Making the new rubber electrolyte is easy through simple polymerization at low temperatures.
2… This polymerization process generates robust and smooth interfaces on the surface of electrodes.
3… This in turn allows faster-moving electrons, while at the same time preventing dendrite growth.
Potential of This Discovery
This revolutionary rubber battery for e-vehicles could lead to cheaper, more reliable and safer batteries, according to Seung Woo Lee. The prototype already halves charging time. But the team is not satisfied yet. They want to increase cycle time further, and make electric vehicle recharging even faster.
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Preview Image: Flexing The Rubber Electrolyte
