Researchers in China seem to have given batteries a serious upgrade that not only enables them to survive but also retain performance in freezing weather (via Global Times).
A team at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has unveiled a new “liquid-solid” lithium battery that retains more than 85% of its capacity after operating for over eight hours at bone-chilling -34°C (−29°F).
What the new battery tech does differently
All of that, and the new battery tech doesn’t even require external insulation to keep the temperature under control. That’s a big feat, as regular batteries can lose 50-70% of their maximum charge-holding capacity in such conditions.
At extremely low temperatures, the electrolytes in regular lithium-ion batteries thicken and ion movement slows, resulting in sluggish performance or outright failure.
However, the new battery design incorporates a liquid-solid functional separator, specially designed low-temperature electrolytes, and an AI-assisted power management system; the combination of these three systems results in a stable output, even in freezing conditions.
From drone testing to EV potential
So far, the Chinese team has used liquid-solid battery technology in industrial-grade drones that have reportedly completed test flights in -34°C environments, which is quite promising. In the near future, the technology could also be used in power line inspections, forest patrol, and emergency response in frigid regions.
If you’re thinking about EVs at this point, you’re not entirely wrong. The new battery technology could dramatically improve EV performance in high-latitude regions, but the integration with a car’s thermal management system and its scalability need to be evaluated first.
Once the team figures out that aspect, we could see such batteries in outdoor robotics, remote monitoring systems, and even scientific installations in polar regions. It might sound a little hopeful, but for once, winter may finally be the one scrambling to keep up in its long-running feud with lithium-ion batteries.