US university team makes major breakthrough in EV batteries

Scientists at Penn State University in the US have developed an electric vehicle battery that can be charged within ten minutes, enough for a 400 km journey.

The lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery can quickly self-heat up to 60°C during charge and discharge, then rapidly cool when not being used.

It uses a thin nickel foil with one end connected to the negative terminal and the other extending outside to create a third terminal. Once electrons begin flowing, it heats up the foil through resistance heating and warms the inside of the battery. As soon as the internal temperature reaches 60°C, the switch opens and the battery is ready for rapid charge or discharge.

“We developed a pretty clever battery for mass-market electric vehicles with cost parity with combustion engine vehicles,” said Chao-Yang Wang, professor of chemical engineering and materials science and engineering, and director of the Electrochemical Engine Centre at Penn State.

“There is no more range anxiety and this battery is affordable.”

Wang claims that a 40kW/h battery can create 300kW of power, enough to bring an EV from 0 to 60mph (96kph) in three seconds. 

The battery was modelled using a combination of existing tech and innovative new approaches. The team say the self-heating method enables the use of relatively low-cost materials when compared with present batteries, and that the battery has a potential lifespan of two million miles - much more than the current tech.

“This battery has reduced weight, volume and cost,” said Wang. “I am very happy that we finally found a battery that will benefit the mainstream consumer mass market…this is how we are going to change the environment and not contribute to just the luxury cars.”

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