Hidden Flaw Explains Why New EV Batteries Keep Failing
Researchers have uncovered a hidden flaw in next-generation EV batteries. The issue explains why promising materials failed to deliver longer life. As a result, the discovery could improve battery safety and durability.The study comes from Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago. It focuses on lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. These batteries face intense stress during daily use.
Promising Materials Fell Short
Engineers shifted to single-crystal battery materials to avoid cracking. They believed removing grain boundaries would improve performance. However, batteries still degraded faster than expected.The research team found the root cause. Engineers applied old design rules to new materials. Therefore, single-crystal batteries failed in unexpected ways.
A Different Type of Cracking
Older batteries crack along grain boundaries during charging cycles. Repeated expansion weakens the structure over time. This damage reduces battery capacity and raises safety risks.Single-crystal batteries crack differently. Internal reactions occur unevenly inside each particle. As a result, stress builds within the material itself.
Advanced Imaging Reveals the Truth
Researchers used advanced X-ray and electron microscopy tools. These tools revealed uneven chemical reactions inside particles. That imbalance created internal mechanical stress.This finding challenged long-held assumptions. Cracking did not require grain boundaries. Therefore, scientists must rethink how batteries degrade.
