Twenty years ago batteries were accessories to our lives. They powered an increasing number of personal devices, yet we scarcely thought about them until they failed to deliver. Nowadays batteries are center stage in the struggle to get on top of global warming. Yet how often do we think about researchers seeking better lithium metal batteries in laboratories around the world.
Why the Search for Better Lithium Metal Batteries
A lithium-metal battery uses a different chemistry, compared to lithium-ion ones that populate our electric vehicles. And also our giant battery farms supporting wind and storage installations. However, lithium-ion technology has its limitations, and we are maxing out on its potential.
Lithium metal batteries, on the other hand have more possibilities waiting for our scientists to explore. That’s because their lithium metal anodes could double the capacity of the lithium-ion ones so popular today. However, this comes at a cost that makes it prohibitive for large scale applications.
Moreover, our scientists have not fully tamed the technology yet. Wiley Online Library lists a number of shortcomings we still need to resolve. They include dendrites, dead lithium, corrosion, and volume expansion of the lithium anode on their list. And then they go on to suggest possible new research directions.
Meet Chengcheng Fang at Michigan State University
Chengcheng Fang is an assistant professor at Michigan State University College of Engineering. Science and technology magazine MIT Technology Review named her a 2022 Innovator Under 35. She speaks of lithium metal batteries as the ‘holy grail of batteries’ because of their potential to double electric vehicle range.
Her goal is to develop a commercially viable version that would speed the transition to sustainable electric vehicles throughout the world. ‘This can reduce humanity’s carbon footprint and fight climate change’ she predicts, ‘while creating millions of new jobs’.
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