A new battery discovery is changing electric flight and cars. Scientists at Berkeley Lab and Carnegie Mellon work on better battery designs. These new batteries have more energy and are safer. Electric vehicles and planes can now go farther. They also give safer trips.

These batteries use soft solid electrolytes and lithium metal anodes. This helps stop fires and makes batteries last longer.

Here is how the new batteries compare:

You get more from this battery breakthrough. It fixes old problems with range and battery life. Electric travel is now easier and better.

Key Takeaways

• New battery technology helps electric planes and cars go farther and be safer.
• Lithium metal anodes and soft solid electrolytes make batteries work better and last longer.
• Electric cars can now drive up to 1,000 kilometers before needing a charge, so drivers stop less often.
• Safer batteries lower the chance of fires and work well in very hot or cold weather, so they are good for many places.
• Better ways to make batteries cost less money, so more people can buy electric cars.

Battery Breakthrough: Electric Flight & Cars

Impact on Electric Flight

You might ask how new batteries help planes fly better. Before, heavy batteries made flying long distances hard. Now, scientists made batteries that are lighter and safer. These batteries use soft solid electrolytes and lithium metal. They stop dangerous dendrites from growing. This makes batteries last longer and work better in planes.

Here is a table that shows how these new batteries help electric flight:

These batteries give you safer flights and longer trips. The new technology also fixes old problems. For example:

• Heavy batteries used to keep electric planes from flying far.
• New types like lithium-sulfur and lithium-air batteries hold more energy.
• Hydrogen fuel cells help make planes lighter and more efficient.

With these changes, electric planes will be more common and dependable.

Range Boost for Electric Cars

If you drive an electric car, you want to go farther per charge. The newest battery research helps cars travel much longer. Studies show new lithium-ion batteries with less cobalt can boost your car’s range. Some new batteries can make cars go 30% to 70% farther. This means you could drive up to 1,000 kilometers before charging.

Let’s compare the new and old battery technologies:

The new batteries store much more energy than old ones. This means you can travel more and charge less. The new batteries also last longer and are safer.

Here are some important facts about the improvements:

• The new quasi-lithium materials store 30% to 70% more energy.
• Most electric cars today can go about 400 km per charge.
• With the new batteries, you could drive up to 1,000 km on one charge.

This big range boost makes electric cars better for long trips. You can plan road trips with fewer stops and have a smoother ride. The new batteries also help save money over time.

New Battery Technologies & Challenges

Lithium-Air and Structural Batteries

You might ask how new batteries can help cars and planes. Lithium-air batteries use oxygen from the air as the cathode. They also use lithium metal as the anode. This makes them lighter and smaller than lithium-ion batteries. These batteries have very high energy density, over 1000 Wh/kg. This means cars and planes could go much farther. But these batteries have some problems. They do not last long and lose energy fast. The discharge product can block electricity flow. Side reactions can also make the battery work less well.

Structural batteries are another cool idea. These batteries can be part of the car or plane’s frame. This makes the vehicle lighter. The battery gives power and supports the frame at the same time. You can travel farther without extra weight.

Dendrite Formation & Battery Life

When you charge lithium-ion batteries, tiny crystals called dendrites can grow. These crystals form on the anode and look like tree branches. Dendrites can block lithium ions from moving. This lowers the battery’s energy efficiency. If dendrites keep growing, they can pierce the separator. This can cause short circuits and make the battery unsafe.

Scientists have found ways to stop dendrite growth. One way uses a gold-fluorine layer on the anode. This layer helps lithium spread out evenly. It stops dendrites from forming. The battery becomes safer and lasts longer.

Toward Longer-Lasting Batteries

People want batteries that last longer and charge faster. New designs use lithium metal anodes instead of graphite. This can make electric vehicles go up to 50% farther. Soft, solid electrolytes made from special polymers and tiny ceramics help. These make batteries more flexible and easier to build.

Recent tests show big improvements:

• The new anode worked well for over 1,500 cycles with fast charging.
• Charging only took 20 minutes.
• The energy density was about 1.5 times higher than regular lithium-ion batteries.

These changes mean you can expect safer, stronger, and longer-lasting batteries soon.

Practical Implications for Industry & Consumers

Safety and Manufacturing Advances

You want your electric car or plane to be safe. New batteries use solid electrolytes. This stops leaks and lowers fire risk. These batteries work in freezing cold and very hot places. They are good for cars and planes in tough weather.

Here is a table that shows how these safety features help:

Manufacturers use new ways to make batteries better and cheaper. They use high-nickel cathodes for more energy and power. Mid-nickel batteries keep costs down and stay stable. The dry electrode process skips solvents. This makes battery making faster and better for the planet.

Cost Reduction and Market Impact

Electric cars will cost less as batteries get better. Higher energy density and new motors mean cheaper cars. You do not need expensive lightweight parts. This helps lower the price to make each car.

The market for electric cars and planes will grow fast. All-solid batteries give safer, longer trips. They work in more places. This will help more people pick electric travel.

Applications in Long-Range Electric Cars and Flight

You can already see new batteries being used. Companies use advanced batteries for long-range electric cars. These cars go farther and last longer. For example, Battolyser stores energy and makes hydrogen. This cuts costs. Delft IMP uses a special powder coating. This makes batteries stronger and cheaper. Elestor’s Redox Flow Battery uses low-cost materials for more energy and power. E-Magy uses silicon anodes for faster charging and more energy.

Real-world tests show these batteries work well. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 drove 580,000 kilometers in 33 months. It kept 87.7% of its battery health. Engineers test these cars in many places to make sure they last.

In electric planes, teams test batteries and fuel cells together. They check each part and build working systems. These batteries now power drones, high-flying planes, and military gear. You will see more electric planes and cars as these batteries become common.

You can see how new batteries help electric planes and cars. These new batteries last longer and are safer. You can travel farther without worry. They also cost less and help the environment. You get more power for a longer time.

• You spend less money because you do not need new batteries often.
• You help the Earth by making less CO2.
• You are safer because new materials stop fires.

You can expect even better batteries as scientists keep working.