Researchers at Canada’s University of Waterloo have refined lithium-ion battery design to  enable faster charging along with a longer battery lifecycle.

The anode architecture change helps lithium-ion batteries charge faster and last longer

The battery technology uses a revised anode design that means the batteries can go from zero power to an 80% charge in 15 minutes, according to the research team; cutting current standard industry times.

The new design also means batteries can withstand more charges – up to 800 cycles, say the researchers.

The claimed breakthrough is the result of a change to the anode design, which traditionally relies on graphite. The team designed a method to fuse graphite particles together, improving electrical conductivity. The change in the battery architecture facilitates the fast movement of lithium ions without the typical risks of battery degradation or safety hazards associated with fast charging.

Researchers say the new design will help tackle ‘range anxiety’ among drivers and will also address the reliability of used EVs; tackling two barriers among would-be EV drivers.

Yverick Rangom, a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, said: “We need to make EVs more affordable and accessible, not just for the wealthy. If we can make batteries smaller, charge faster and last longer, we reduce the overall cost of the vehicle. That makes EVs a viable option for more people, including those who don’t have home charging stations or who live in apartments. It would also increase the value of second-hand EVs, making electric transportation more accessible.”

Focusing on the anode architecture while still using traditional materials used in lithium-ion batteries makes the technology easier to integrate into existing battery manufacturing processes.

Hand in hand with other improvements, such as developments aimed at reducing dendritic filament growth to reduce long-term battery degradation, could make a difference.

“We’re not reinventing the wheel in terms of materials in lithium-ion batteries. We’re just finding a better way to arrange the particles and providing new functions to the binders that hold them together such as state-of the-art electron, ion and heat transfer properties,” said Professor Michael Pope co-lead of UWaterloo’s Ontario Battery and Electrochemistry –Research Centre. “This approach ensures that the technology can be scalable and implemented using current production lines, offering a low-cost solution to battery manufacturers.”

The next step for the research team is to optimize the manufacturing process and ensure the technology is ready for widespread industry adoption. The team is evaluating performance in prototypes to gauge interest with industry stakeholders.

“We’re focused on ensuring this solution is not only effective but scalable,” said Rangom, lead researcher for the Battery Workforce Challenge. “It’s crucial that it can be implemented within the existing infrastructure for both battery production and charging stations.”

The study appears in full in the Advanced Science journal.