Scientists Develop 'Injection' To Make Smartphone and EV Batteries Last Longer (scmp.com) 27
SCMP: Chinese scientists have developed a revolutionary repair technology that could make lithium-ion batteries last over six times longer. Announcing their discovery in the journal Nature on Wednesday, the researchers said this low-cost, eco-friendly technology could soon be ready to enter the market.
The batteries are key for many modern technologies, from smartphones to electric vehicles. However, as these batteries age, they often become less efficient -- a process that cold weather accelerates. The researchers said they could counter this problem with the "injection" of a special solution to rejuvenate "sick" batteries. At present, lithium-ion batteries rely on sophisticated materials used to generate lithium ions -- whose movement through electrolyte is key to their performance -- and then protect them to ensure a decent lifespan.
Typically these lithium ions move from the positive terminal to the negative when the battery is charging, a process which is then reversed when it is generating power. The battery is considered to have expired when the supply of lithium ions runs low -- for example some electric car batteries have a lifespan of around 1,500 charge cycles -- but other components in the battery still remain in good working order after this happens. This insight prompted the two lead researchers, Gao Yue and Peng Huisheng from Fudan University's macromolecular science department, to see if they could revive a battery by replenishing the supply of active lithium ions.
The batteries are key for many modern technologies, from smartphones to electric vehicles. However, as these batteries age, they often become less efficient -- a process that cold weather accelerates. The researchers said they could counter this problem with the "injection" of a special solution to rejuvenate "sick" batteries. At present, lithium-ion batteries rely on sophisticated materials used to generate lithium ions -- whose movement through electrolyte is key to their performance -- and then protect them to ensure a decent lifespan.
Typically these lithium ions move from the positive terminal to the negative when the battery is charging, a process which is then reversed when it is generating power. The battery is considered to have expired when the supply of lithium ions runs low -- for example some electric car batteries have a lifespan of around 1,500 charge cycles -- but other components in the battery still remain in good working order after this happens. This insight prompted the two lead researchers, Gao Yue and Peng Huisheng from Fudan University's macromolecular science department, to see if they could revive a battery by replenishing the supply of active lithium ions.
What happened to Goodenough? (Score:4, Informative)
I know the (brilliant) engineer in question passed away due to old age, but after successfully defending himself against public and peer disbelief in his latest products I would have expected to see them by now.
So where's his solid electrolyte Li-ion battery that doesn't short or grow dendrites?
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So where's his solid electrolyte Li-ion battery that doesn't short or grow dendrites?
In development. If you listen to what John Goodenough said (in 2016), it takes about 15 years to get a battery chemistry to market. With that in mind, they still have about six years of development left. However, if you have a boatload of money to burn then you can have some custom manufactured for a mere 100000x the normal price. However, more realistically you can buy very small scale solid state batteries right now. [mouser.com]
Hmm... it's almost like there is a difference between a proof-of-concept and mass producti
Hated by smarthpone makers (Score:5, Insightful)
Better batteries is hated by smartphone makers because how will they now get people to buy new phones?
That ship sailed long ago (Score:3)
These days fashion victims upgrade their phones long before the battery gives up helped on by the usual marketing drivel. A few years ago it was screen resolution that was going to change your life on a phone, now its AI. Next year it'll be [insert buzzword du jour here].
I tend to keep my phones until they die (previous one lasted 13 years with a new battery) but I accept I'm in a minority.
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These days fashion victims upgrade their phones long before the battery gives up helped on by the usual marketing drivel. A few years ago it was screen resolution that was going to change your life on a phone, now its AI. Next year it'll be [insert buzzword du jour here].
I tend to keep my phones until they die (previous one lasted 13 years with a new battery) but I accept I'm in a minority.
It's more that people upgrade when their contract expires (18 or 24 months in the UK). Most people didn't care what phone they had in the UK, most of those that do care have largely stopped caring as well.
Re:Hated by smarthpone makers (Score:4, Informative)
They did buy the patent for NiMH EV batteries and sit on it. Not nearly as good as today's EVs, but they could've been available years earlier:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
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This is about as dumb as the oil companies sabotaging the 100 mile per gallon carburetor
There is no such thing and never has been. It's a urban legend at best. If it was possible, then why hasn't there been 100 mpg fuel injection?
All a carburetor does is atomize the fuel and keep the air/fuel mixture correct. Getting the air/fuel mixture correct is pretty easy, and EFI is really good at that. So the only improvement you could get would be to atomize the fuel better. You can run an engine on gasoline vapor alone, which will ignite as much fuel as is possible. Yet every experiment in which t
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In the short term Augmented Idiocy seems to be doing the job.
As the battery, is this injection more like an electrolyte swap? On something the size of a car battery that might be a useful tactic.
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I expect that like inkjet cartridge refill kits, it could be possible to buy li-ion battery refresh kits from AliExpress.
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Not easier but maybe cheaper and more eco-friendly? It could at least eliminate the effort of de-gluing the battery pack and/or swapping out soldered-on connectors in a lot of modern phones.
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Why would people buy new phones because of a dead battery? They cost borderline nothing to replace. The kid at the electronics shop on the street corner will do it for you for $20.
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Saved you a click: (Score:1)
This [strategy] involves externally adding an organic Li salt into an assembled cell, which decomposes during cell formation, liberating Li ions and expelling organic ligands as gases. This non-invasive and rapid process preserves cell integrity without necessitating disassembly. We leveraged machine learning to discover such functional salts and identified lithium trifluoromethanesulfinate (LiSO2CF3) with optimal electrochemical activity, potential, product formation, electrolyte solubility and specific capacity.
China (Score:2)
Another vaccine? (Score:2)
No thanks. I already got the 5G chip, I don't need them injecting the battery for it. Pretty soon we'll have nano-smartphones floating around in our blood .. it can't be good for our kidneys if our cells are doom-scrolling all day instead of doing their normal assigned functions.
Lead? (Score:5, Funny)
This insight prompted the two lead researchers ...
Are you sure they were not lithium researchers?
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Are you sure they were not lithium researchers?
I am not sure what lithium you to that conclusion. ;)
Reconfigure the Deflector Dish- (Score:2)
Reroute life support to lithium ion charger.
I got stupider reading the summary (Score:2)
File it under: Weekly Battery Pipedream (Score:3)
Ballooned lipos (Score:1)
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Yes this is a new massage technique that can gradually coax ballooned batteries back into shape.
sounds safe (Score:2)
What is the process to do this exactly? Because I dare you to stick a needle in a lithium-ion battery.
Swelling? (Score:2)
Also shorting due to dendrites is still a problem.