Instead of continuously moving electrolyte between the battery’s anode and cathode, this new algorithm charges differently.
Electronic devices and electric vehicles use lithium-ion battery technology, but its capacity depletes with time. European researchers from the Helmholtz-Zentrum and Humboldt University in Berlin created a novel charging algorithm that could double battery life.
Algorithm that doubles battery life
Whereas traditional charging methods continuously cycle the electrolyte between the battery’s anode and cathode, this new algorithm takes a different approach to the charging process. By changing how the charger delivers current to the electrolyte materials, the researchers are enabling batteries to become more durable and maintain higher energy capacity even after hundreds of discharge-charge cycles.
Pulsed Current (PC)
The new charging protocol uses pulsed current (PC) instead of constant current. PC charging homogenizes lithium ions in graphite, lowering mechanical stress and cracking. The NMC532 cathode’s structural deterioration can prevented.
PC charging doubles the lifespan of commercial lithium-ion batteries with 80% capacity retention. The best results were obtained with a square wave current and high-frequency pulse.
This breakthrough is particularly important for electric vehicles and portable electronic devices. Longer-lasting batteries can improve the marketability of these products by offering more value to consumers.
