Category: Batteries

Ample, a U.S.-based company specializing in battery swapping technology, has launched its first European deployment by installing modular battery swap stations in Madrid. The first operational stations are now live, with additional installations planned throughout the city center as part of an ongoing rollout.

Designed for fast urban integration, Ample’s battery swap stations can be deployed in just three days. The goal is to address key challenges to electric vehicle adoption in cities—such as long charging times, range anxiety, and the limited availability of space for traditional charging infrastructure.

The size and shape of your favorite gadgets are often determined by one limiting factor: the battery. But that may soon change thanks to a breakthrough from scientists at Linköping University in Sweden, who have developed a new kind of battery with a unique “toothpaste-like consistency”—a flexible, stretchable power source that could redefine how electronics are designed.

Instead of the traditional solid electrodes found in today’s batteries, this innovative design uses liquid electrodes, allowing the battery to bend, twist, and stretch without losing its ability to supply power. In a successful early test, the team used the battery to power an LED both in its relaxed form and while it was being deformed.

Lithium-ion batteries power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles, but safety remains a major concern. While they are efficient and long-lasting, battery failures can lead to dangerous consequences. In fact, the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) has made this issue even more pressing, with over 20 EV fires or explosions in recent years linked to lithium-ion battery failures.

A groundbreaking study published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces introduces a new sensor that could help mitigate these risks and prevent catastrophic battery failures. As lithium-ion batteries become more widespread in smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles, and military applications, the need for safety innovation has never been more urgent. Though these batteries are known for their high energy density and long lifespan, they also pose serious hazards. Overheating or damage to battery cells can release volatile gases, which may ignite, leading to fires or explosions. As a result, developing gas sensors that are sensitive, selective, cost-effective, easy to integrate, and energy-efficient is crucial for improving lithium-ion battery safety.

Scientists at the University of Leicester in the UK have developed an innovative method to extract valuable metals from spent lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries using just water and cooking oil. This new approach allows for the purification of essential metals at room temperature in just a matter of minutes, potentially revolutionizing the way Li-ion batteries are recycled.

As society shifts towards more sustainable energy sources, lithium-ion batteries have become critical in storing energy for everything from electric vehicles (EVs) to mobile phones. With millions of these batteries being used worldwide, the need for effective and eco-friendly recycling methods has never been greater.

In the rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) industry, a game-changing advancement in battery technology is set to dramatically enhance energy storage capacity. Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) have unveiled a revolutionary technique that can increase the energy storage capacity of batteries by an astounding tenfold. This breakthrough not only pushes the boundaries of battery technology but could reshape the future of electric vehicles, providing a much-needed boost to the green energy movement.

To understand the significance of this development, it’s important to recognize the vital role of the battery’s anode. The anode is responsible for storing power during charging and releasing it when the battery is in use. Traditionally, most lithium-ion batteries use graphite as the anode material. While graphite has been widely used, it has limitations in terms of energy storage capacity. This is where silicon, a material with much higher energy density, comes into play. However, using silicon as an anode in batteries has been problematic because it tends to expand during charging cycles, leading to instability and reduced battery life.

A research team from the Division of Energy & Environmental Technology at DGIST, led by Principal Researcher Kim Jae-hyun, has developed an innovative lithium metal battery featuring a “triple-layer solid polymer electrolyte.” This advancement promises significant improvements in both fire safety and battery lifespan, positioning it as a potential game-changer for applications in electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems.

Traditional solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) batteries have faced persistent challenges, particularly in ensuring optimal contact between the battery’s electrodes. This is critical in preventing the formation of “dendrites”—tree-like structures of lithium that form during repeated charging and discharging cycles. These dendrites can cause internal short circuits, potentially leading to fires or even explosions, posing a significant safety hazard.

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking biodegradable battery that harnesses the power of living organisms, creating an innovative energy solution that could transform how we approach low-power electronics and environmental monitoring.

The “Fungal Battery” represents a remarkable fusion of biological and technological innovation, utilizing two distinct microorganisms to generate electrical power through a unique electrochemical process. The battery’s design incorporates yeast and white wood rot fungi, each playing a critical role in energy conversion.

At a tech exhibition in Shanghai, battery manufacturer Envision Energy showcased its latest high-capacity grid-storage battery, drawing widespread attention. According to PV Magazine’s report on the Electrical Energy Storage Alliance’s Energy Storage Exhibition, Envision’s new battery boasts an impressive energy density of 541 kilowatt-hours per square meter. This advanced unit can store up to 8 megawatt-hours (MWh) of power within a standard 20-foot container, surpassing the 6 MWh capacity currently offered by leading competitors.

“We made a huge jump from our previous generation products to cut costs at the system level,” said a representative from Envision, as quoted in PV Magazine. The power pack’s high energy density is designed to store and manage intermittent renewable energy more efficiently, with a remarkable 96% “roundtrip” efficiency rate, which measures the amount of energy retained during storage and retrieval.

Mercedes-Benz has made a groundbreaking advancement in sustainable electric vehicle (EV) production by opening Europe’s first integrated battery recycling facility in Kuppenheim, Germany. This state-of-the-art plant, representing an investment of tens of millions of euros, is designed to process 2,500 tonnes of batteries annually, producing enough recycled materials to manufacture modules for over 50,000 new EVs. The facility employs a mechanical-hydrometallurgical process that achieves an impressive 96 percent recovery rate of valuable materials. “This innovative technology enables us to recover valuable raw materials from the battery with the highest possible degree of purity,” said Jörg Burzer, Board Member responsible for Production at Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

Innovative EV Recycling Process

The facility’s recycling process begins with the mechanical separation of battery components, followed by the hydrometallurgical treatment of “black mass,” containing valuable metals like cobalt, nickel, and lithium. These metals are then refined to battery-grade quality, allowing them to be reused in new Mercedes-Benz EVs. The plant operates at up to 80°C, an energy-efficient temperature that reduces both energy consumption and waste, and it’s powered entirely by green electricity. The 6,800-square-meter roof of the facility also houses a 350-kilowatt photovoltaic system, making the plant carbon-neutral.