Revamped lithium-ion battery electrolyte, reminiscent of slime, promises enhanced safety and effortless recycling.
The Institute of Science Tokyo has developed a groundbreaking technology named 3D-SLISE (3D-Slime Interface Quasi-Solid Electrolyte), set to significantly improve lithium-ion batteries in terms of safety, speed, and recyclability.
Safety Improvements
Reduced Flammability: The 3D-SLISE electrolyte utilises a simple borate-water matrix, eliminating the need for flammable organic solvents commonly used in traditional lithium-ion battery manufacturing. This reduction in fire risks is a crucial step towards safer battery production.
Standard Air Conditions: With the ability to produce batteries under ambient conditions, there is no longer a requirement for dry rooms or high-temperature environments, often hazardous in battery production.
Speed Enhancements
Fast Charging/Discharging: The quasi-solid electrolyte supports the fast charging and discharging of lithium-ion batteries, crucial for applications requiring rapid power delivery.
Recyclability Advancements
Sustainable Production: The use of raw materials free from flammable solvents and the ability to recover active materials through water dispersal ensure a more sustainable and recyclable approach to battery production.
Direct Material Recovery: The technology allows for the direct recovery of active materials, simplifying the recycling process and reducing waste.
The new 3D-SLISE technology not only reduces production costs but also shrinks the carbon footprint of battery manufacturing.
Two versions of the slurry were produced: Electrodes and Type S for the quasi-solid electrolyte layer. The water-based composition of 3D-SLISE offers a direct recycling advantage, as active materials can be recovered by soaking the electrodes in water. The slurries are dried naturally at room temperature, making it highly scalable for industry.
The resulting lithium-ion batteries could charge or discharge in just 20 minutes and maintained performance over 400 cycles at room temperature. The new 3D-SLISE technology could potentially make lithium-ion batteries safer, cleaner, and easier to recycle.
Valuable elements like cobalt can be reclaimed without harsh chemical treatments or high-energy processes.
The manufacturing process for the 3D-SLISE technology requires no expensive environmental controls. The 3D-SLISE technology offers a safer, more energy-efficient production pathway, eliminating the need for dry rooms, glove boxes, and high-temperature treatment.
Lithium-ion batteries, which power various devices from smartphones to electric vehicles, have long raised safety, cost, and environmental concerns due to their reliance on flammable organic solvents, energy-intensive manufacturing, and complex recycling processes. The new 3D-SLISE technology could potentially transform how lithium-ion batteries are manufactured and disposed of, addressing some of the industry's most persistent challenges.
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