Lithium-ion batteries discharge and recharge their electrical energy, by shuttling ions between their electrodes. Some of these ions become trapped during each round trip. This progressively reduces the amount of energy in the battery. We never imagined x-rays repairing lithium-ion batteries before.
Repairing Lithium-Ion Battery Packs With X-Rays
Researchers at University of Nevada, Las Vegas have achieved this amazing break through, which almost defies imagination. The team has successfully tested their method on lithium-ion battery packs, in a variety of applications.
These uses include electric vehicles, electric trains, power banks, and cellular phones. Repairing lithium-ion battery packs with x-rays could achieve large savings, because the battery packs could last 50% longer.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas achieved their breakthrough after they reasoned as follows:
- X-rays are a form of highly concentrated light, called electromagnetic energy.
- They realized they could use this energy as a virtual ‘chisel’ on a battery.
- This enabled them to force the trapped lithium ions out of microscopic gaps.
- They could then send these ions ‘back home’, and restore battery capacity.
How Could X-Rays Achieve This Transformation?
We already know that high temperatures and pressure can bring molecules together, and achieve this type of change. The researchers recalled that x-rays are also capable of doing the same thing. Indeed, they have become a third mechanism for transforming chemicals.
“With X-rays, we can realize novel states of chemistry using very high energy,” a researcher explains. “As X-rays ionize, they strip electrons from molecules and atoms.
“But they are so much higher energy, that they can access new regions to achieve what we can’t through conventional chemistry.”
This study of x-rays repairing lithium-ion batteries, achieves a breakthrough without requiring new technology. X-ray regeneration opens a door to keeping batteries going longer, with the additional benefit of huge advantages for our environment too.
More Information
How Ions Travel Through Electrolytes
Lithium Ions in Household Batteries
