Revolutionary Injection Enhances Used Battery Life, Auto Manufacturers May Not Rejoice
A groundbreaking development by Toyota engineers might extend the lifecycle of electric vehicle batteries, drastically reducing the frequency of replacements.
This innovation not only promises to minimize electronic waste but also to decrease the necessity for raw material extraction.
Japanese engineers are calling it a breakthrough in efforts to prolong the durability of batteries. Detailed in the scientific journal Joule, their approach involves injecting certain chemicals into the battery.
The process can be likened to consuming a potent energy drink, as described by Interesting Engineering. Essentially, the substance rejuvenates the battery unit, consequently amplifying its energy storage capacity beyond its current state.
However, it's important to note that this method does not repair batteries that are completely worn out physically. It is applicable to those whose capacity has only slightly diminished to below 80 percent. The degradation in capacity is attributed to the battery losing ions, which store and release energy within the unit.
To counteract this, Toyota's engineers introduced a special compound into the battery, triggering a chemical reaction that produced more lithium ions and electrons the very particles necessary for energy storage in batteries. This technique successfully restored the battery's capacity back to 80 percent, a level that was maintained even after 100 charging cycles.
According to the study's authors, this technology was tested not only on lab-scale batteries but also on larger ones that are installed in vehicles. This innovative solution will also alleviate environmental pressures by reducing the need for new raw materials for battery production – since the batteries will have an extended usable life.
The researchers emphasize that this method can only be applied to batteries that have lost capacity due to charging cycles. Therefore, a battery must first be diagnosed to determine if it is eligible for the chemical treatment.
Moreover, extensive long-term studies are required to fully understand the impact of this method on operational safety.