 |
| A new design for lithium-ion batteries could dramatically reduce charging times. (Credit: buffaloboy/Shutterstock) |
Forget the 10 hours it can take to charge your Tesla Model X. A new battery, created by researchers at Penn State, can complete a charge in as little as 10 minutes.
Described in a report published today in Joule, the new lithium-ion battery could top up electric vehicles with 200 miles of charge in a time comparable to filling up a gas-powered vehicle. The technique involves quickly heating the batteries up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and cooling them back down to room temperature during the charge cycle.
Normally, extreme temperature fluctuations can spell destruction for lithium-ion batteries. Lithium plating can grow inside a battery if it’s exposed to heat for too long, potentially causing it to short out. But by using calculated heating methods and limiting the battery’s exposure to high temperatures, the team believes they’ve found a way to help close the gap between electric and fuel-powered cars.
It’s Getting Hot in Here
Batteries are typically charged and discharged at the same temperature. But by spiking the heat, researchers found they could administer a higher charge to the battery without compromising its life span.
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου