Breakthrough Battery Tech Could Revolutionize EVs and Portables
Scientists have made a breakthrough in battery technology that could revolutionise electric vehicles and portable devices. A team from the University of Florida and partners has developed a one-atom-thick filter for lithium-sulfur batteries, solving a long-standing issue and paving the way for improved performance.
Lithium-sulfur batteries have long promised greater energy density and lighter weight than current lithium-ion batteries. However, their practical use has been hindered by a critical flaw: sulfur's tendency to form long chains, reducing lifespan and power output. The new filter, published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, addresses this issue by allowing tiny lithium ions to pass while blocking these bulky sulfur chains.
The filter, created using chemical vapor deposition on a copper foil, forms a graphene film with precisely defined openings. Tests have shown that batteries equipped with this filter retain nearly all their capacity over 150 charge-discharge cycles, unlike unfiltered batteries. This breakthrough could significantly increase the range of electric vehicles and extend the life of phones and drones.
The potential applications of this technology are vast, extending to freight trucks, trains, and ships, where battery weight is a major obstacle. With further development, this innovation could help accelerate the transition to cleaner, more efficient energy storage solutions.
