Browse Topic: Energy storage systems
P2-type layered oxides are good cathode materials in high-performance sodium-ion batteries since they have desirable two-dimensional ion migration pathways. However, their instability at interfaces and their attenuation as cycles persist also remain a significant challenge. To increase their electrochemical stability, surface coating is also a good plan, but the balance between the coating and ionic conductivity is one of the key challenges. This study constructed an immensely thin layer of alumina (Al2O3) coating, and the influence of the amount of the coating (0.3-1.2 wt percent) on the working of the material was methodically examined. Electrochemical analysis showed that the lowest levels of Al2O3 (0.3 wt) provide the greatest improvement in performance. The optimized sample showed a retention capacity of 96.35 after 100 cycles of operation at 1C, significantly higher compared with samples that had increased coating contents. An analysis of cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy was subsequently done to corroborate the presence of a 0.3 wt% coating, which infected the electrode-electrolyte interface by inhibiting side reactions but minimally obstructing sodium-ion transport and thus promoting reaction reversibility and improved interfacial kinetics. These results highlight the importance of a less-is-more rule when it comes to surface coating and provide a novel understanding of how long-life sodium-ion battery cathodes can be designed by carefully engineered interfaces.
A research team led by Professor Lin Gui at the Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, reports the first fabrication of multi-layer flexible batteries using a combination of liquid metal microfluidic perfusion and plasma-based reversible bonding techniques.
Modern electric vehicles can go hundreds of miles without a recharge, but that long range can diminish faster if battery health isn’t properly tracked and managed. And to do that, you need some smart software — and some smarts from working with NASA.
Current lithium-ion batteries should generally only be charged above 0 °C, as charging below this temperature can promote lithium plating and irreversible degradation. However, conventional pack-level heating elements increase system mass and design complexity. In addition, heat is transferred from outside into the cell, causing the temperature inside the cell to rise slowly. This study evaluates internal Joule heating of cylindrical Li-ion cells using a zero-mean square-wave current excitation and quantifies the associated aging impact. LG INR21700-M50L cells were tested at 0 °C, −10 °C, and −20 °C with three excitation frequencies (50 Hz, 1 Hz, 10 mHz) at 5 A amplitude. Each cycle consisted of 30 min heating followed by 60 min cooling; reference capacity-based state of health (SOH) was assessed every 50 cycles up to 400 cycles. A maximum surface temperature rise of 14.3 K was achieved, with larger temperature rise at lower ambient temperature and lower excitation frequency. Capacity fade remained below approximately 1% for most conditions; however, at −20 °C and 10 mHz a pronounced SOH decrease to 87% was observed, indicating a critical operating regime. The results provide practical guidance for pulse-heating parameter selection and highlight the need for safeguards and further diagnostics in extreme low-frequency excitation at very low temperatures. This heating approach is particularly suitable for simpler battery-electric applications without thermal management, such as e-bikes or power tools. However, it may also be relevant for applications with existing thermal management systems, as it simplifies battery pack design.
This document provides recommendations involving BEV battery data retention and battery design that enhance the potential for BEV battery reuse and serviceability and that can improve recyclability. These recommendations have been developed by a group of professionals skilled in the secondary-use of batteries and in the research, development, and manufacture of BEV batteries and battery systems.
Tire exterior noise has become increasingly critical in vehicle acoustics due to two key developments: updated pass-by noise regulations, which amplify the relative contribution of tire noise, and the rise of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), which lack traditional powertrain noise. Design trends in BEVs—such as increased vehicle mass from battery packs and the widespread use of large-diameter, wide, low-profile tires—further intensify tire noise due to stiffer constructions and altered contact dynamics. A common method for predicting tire noise is the source-transfer-receiver model, where the tire is represented by a set of monopoles with volume velocity Q derived from near-field measurements. Acoustic propagation is modeled via p/Q transfer functions. Despite its simplifications, this approach is practical for vehicle development, enabling clear separation between source and transfer mechanisms and facilitating targeted noise control strategies. In previous work, we proposed a rigorous framework to optimize both the spatial distribution and strength of the monopole sources. Positions were identified using an L1-norm regularization via the Lasso algorithm, promoting sparsity and physical interpretability. Strengths were estimated using an L2-norm Tikhonov regularization, which stabilizes the solution against measurement noise. While the Tikhonov regularization parameter was previously tuned manually through trial and error, we now enhance predictive accuracy by selecting it via a cross-validation technique, ensuring a more robust and data-driven optimization. Besides this, compared to the previous work the approach here is validated for the prediction of both indoor and outdoor pass-by noise, as well as for multiple tire types providing different noise levels. Results demonstrate the method’s robustness, accuracy, and applicability for acoustic development in modern vehicle platforms.
Harbinger revealed its HC Series Cab during Work Truck Week 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The HC Series is a new line of medium-duty, low cab forward vehicles available as both an electric and plug-in hybrid model. Harbinger states that the HC Series' hybrid powertrain uses a range-extended hybrid platform with a gasoline engine to recharge the truck's batteries, extending range up to 500 miles (805 km), depending on upfit configuration and drive cycle.
Among the enduring challenges of storing energy – for wind or solar farms, or backup storage for the energy grid or data centers – is batteries that can hold large amounts of electricity for a long time.
Climate change was poised to create an interesting catch-22 for electric vehicles. Electrifying transportation can go a long way to reducing carbon emissions that are driving up global temperatures. But warmer temperatures also accelerate the degradation of batteries, whose performance can be a make-or-break factor for people considering an EV purchase.
These days, no one blinks an eye at two-day, one-day, or even same-day package deliveries. Despite the plethora of localized fulfillment and distribution centers cropping up to meet demand, delivery trucks still need to make considerably long drives, often on highways. To reduce fuel and maintenance costs as well as carbon emissions, companies are investing in electric trucks for their delivery fleets. While turning to electric trucks is a promising solution, the battery packs incorporated into these automotive designs often fall short in the lifetime needed to make consistent long-distance highway travel feasible.
Researchers have developed a solar-powered reactor to break down hard-to-recycle forms of plastic waste – such as drinks bottles, nylon textiles and polyurethane foams – using acid recovered from old car batteries, and converting it into clean hydrogen fuel and valuable industrial chemicals.
Researchers at Columbia Engineering have developed a new gel electrolyte that both improves the lifetime and safety of anode-free lithium batteries, an emerging battery architecture that could dramatically boost energy density while simplifying manufacturing. Although such design promises higher energy density and lower cost, the approach has long been plagued by short battery life and safety concerns caused by unstable lithium plating and parasitic reactions at the electrode-electrolyte interface.
As the electric vehicle era enters full scale, demand is increasing for batteries that can travel farther and last longer. Lithium-metal batteries have been attracting attention as a next-generation technology capable of surpassing the capacity limits of existing lithium-ion batteries. However, during the charging process, needle-shaped crystals called “dendrites” grow, shortening battery life and increasing the risk of fire, which has been identified as the biggest obstacle to commercialization. A Korean research team has developed a key technology that can solve this challenge.
A new DC-DC power converter is superior to previous designs and paves the way for more efficient, reliable, and sustainable energy storage and conversion solutions. The Kobe University development can efficiently interface with a wide range of energy sources while enhancing system stability and simplicity at an unprecedented efficiency.
Globally, the battery recycling market is projected to grow from $12.8 billion in 2025 to $19.8 billion by the end of 2030 according to BCC Research LLC. The expanding electric vehicle market will contribute to this expansion as EVs are damaged or their batteries are degraded beyond their usefulness. This is in addition to the personal technology batteries that permeate almost every aspect of our lives.
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