Special electrodes for battery operation in cold weather. Free Technical Library News

NEWS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NOVELTY IN ELECTRONICS
Free technical library / timeline

Special electrodes for battery operation in cold weather

26.06.2022

It is known that temperatures below the freezing point of water have a very detrimental effect on the basic parameters of lithium-ion batteries. In the context of electric cars and other vehicles, this means shorter travel distances, longer charging times, problems with regenerative braking systems, and more. Therefore, engineers and scientists involved in the development of new batteries pay great attention not only to increasing their capacity, but also to ensuring uninterrupted operation in extreme temperatures.

Some automakers, notably Ford, equip their car batteries with temperature sensors and heaters that keep the battery temperature within acceptable limits. At the same time, part of the battery energy is spent on heating them, which reduces the travel range of an electric car. Other battery manufacturers use special electrolytes that can operate at sub-zero temperatures.

In the same area, there is a group that includes scientists from several Chinese scientific institutions. They conducted research, the results of which showed that one of the vulnerable components of the battery, responsible for the loss of capacity when the temperature drops, is the anode, one of the battery's two electrodes. As a rule, anodes are made of graphite, which has a flat, smooth surface. So Chinese scientists started experimenting with various alternatives and eventually came across a very promising solution.

The scientists took the composite material ZIF-67 (cobalt-containing zeolite imidazolate framework) and heated it to a high temperature, resulting in the formation of 12-sided carbon nanospheres. These tiny structures have a very developed surface, in addition, they have excellent electrical conductivity. By pressing the resulting material, the researchers made a coin-shaped anode for a battery with a lithium metal cathode.

The conducted experiments showed that the created battery provides stable characteristics during charging and discharging in the temperature range from 25 to -20 degrees Celsius. At temperatures below zero, the battery capacity still drops, but only slightly, to 85,9 percent of its original capacity, which is not comparable to that of traditional lithium-ion batteries. And even at a temperature of -35 degrees Celsius, the battery with the new anode was able to take charge and almost completely give it away during the discharge process.

Scientists believe that the implementation of the results of their work can significantly expand the functionality of lithium-ion batteries in extreme environmental conditions. And not only electric cars, but also drones for various purposes, spacecraft and much more can benefit from this.

<< Back: After a hard day at work, people speak faster and louder. 27.06.2022

>> Forward: Plant Based Antimicrobial Food Wrap 26.06.2022

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Mozart's music may help reduce epilepsy attacks 24.02.2023

According to research by scientists at Dartmouth College (USA), listening to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major K.448" for 30 seconds reduces bursts of neuronal activity. They are responsible for epileptic seizures in patients who do not respond to conventional therapies.

A high number of neuronal peaks is associated with memory loss or cognitive decline and even a higher frequency of epileptic seizures. Treatments that can reduce these peaks will help people with epilepsy.

Scientists conducted an experiment involving 16 volunteers who did not respond to traditional treatment for epileptic seizures. They were given to listen to Mozart's music for 15 seconds. Other different musical genres were also tested, among which modern works were presented. But it was Mozart's music that had the desired effect on the patients. Experts explain this by the fact that the sonata has a beneficial effect on brain activity.

Back in 1993, many researchers discovered the so-called Mozart effect. Listening to "Sonata for two pianos in D major K.44" for 10 minutes improved the perception of space. At the same time, students' IQ increased by 8/9 points, however, only a few minutes.

To explain this effect, experts monitored patients' brains while listening to the sonata for possible brain "explosions" or intermittent explosive disorders (IEPs). It turned out that they subsided after listening to music for 30 seconds.

For those who listened to the piece in its entirety, the positive effects of the music intensified as they moved from one passage of the sonata to another. This evokes a sense of foreboding in the listener, creating a "positive emotional response" capable of reassuring the patient.

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews