Own an electric vehicle? Not pleased with the battery performance especially in cold weather? Well we all know batteries in general have problems including vehicle batteries but this may now be something of the past.
What are the problems?
Electric vehicle batteries take a long time to charge depending on the charger used. Even when charged—it doesn't hold long to drive most commuting distances. Even worse, you are penalized if you quickly accelerate while driving as you drain more energy. Then the elephant in the room – they are big, and heavy.
Report from University of California – Today:
Researchers have redesigned the component materials of the battery in an environmentally friendly way to solve some of these problems. By creating nanoparticles with a controlled shape, they believe smaller, more powerful and energy efficient batteries can be built. By modifying the size and shape of battery components, they aim to reduce charge times as well.
“This is a critical, fundamental step in improving the efficiency of these batteries,” said David Kisailus, an associate professor of chemical and environmental engineering and lead researcher on the project. In addition to electric cars, the redesigned batteries could be used for municipal energy storage, including energy generated by the sun and wind.
Study Credit + Publication:
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside’s Bourns College of Engineering.
Published paper -- “Solvothermal Synthesis, Development and Performance of LiFePO4 Nanostructures” in the journal Crystal Growth & Design.
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