CAMBRIDGE: MIT scientists have uncovered a groundbreaking method to significantly speed up the charging process of electric vehicles and electronic devices.
The latest discovery revolves around the fundamental reaction that powers all lithium-ion batteries — the technology that fuels everything from smartphones to electric cars. These batteries work by moving particles called lithium ions in and out of solid electrodes. This back-and-forth movement happens thousands of times over a battery’s lifetime.
The speed of this reaction determines how quickly a battery can charge and how much energy it can deliver at any given moment. Until now, limitations in this reaction have posed challenges for ultra-fast charging.
However, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have identified that this reaction is governed by a mechanism known as coupled ion-electron transfer. This process allows lithium ions to move more efficiently within the electrodes, enhancing both the speed and performance of the battery.
This breakthrough could pave the way for future technologies that enable significantly faster charging times, potentially revolutionizing battery-powered transportation and electronics.
