UCLA researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough that could enhance the safety and efficiency of lithium-metal batteries. By preventing the usual corrosion during the process of depositing lithium, the researchers have found that lithium atoms arrange themselves into a distinct 12-sided shape, reducing the risk of explosions. This discovery has the potential to revolutionize lithium battery technology, leading to improved safety and performance.
Lithium-metal batteries, which have the potential to store about twice the energy of lithium-ion batteries, have not been widely adopted due to their heightened risk of fire and explosions. In contrast, lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in smartphones, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage, have a more widespread presence.
The innovative research from UCLA’s California NanoSystems Institute reveals a fundamental insight that could pave the way for safer and superior lithium-metal batteries compared to today’s lithium-ion alternatives. Published in the journal Nature on August 2, the study showcases a technique that prevents corrosion during the deposition of lithium, resulting in lithium atoms forming a unique and unexpected 12-sided shape called a rhombic dodecahedron.
In typical conditions, lithium metal reacts quickly with chemicals, causing corrosion during its deposition on surfaces like electrodes. However, the UCLA team’s method curbs this corrosion, allowing lithium atoms to arrange themselves in the rhombic dodecahedron shape. This discovery challenges previous qualitative descriptions of lithium’s structure and could transform our understanding of lithium-metal batteries.
Unlike lithium-ion batteries that store positively charged lithium atoms in a carbon cage on the electrode, lithium-metal batteries coat the electrode with metallic lithium. This enables lithium-metal batteries to store significantly more lithium, which improves their performance but also heightens the explosion risk.
The revelation of the rhombic dodecahedron shape in the absence of corrosion suggests that the risk of explosions in lithium-metal batteries could be reduced. This discovery holds promise not only for battery safety but also for high-performance energy technology.
The study’s findings question the conventional wisdom that electrolyte choice determines the shape of lithium deposition. Instead, the researchers’ novel approach focuses on outpacing the corrosion process to reveal the natural shape of lithium growth.
By employing a technique that deposits lithium more rapidly than corrosion forms, the researchers managed to achieve this breakthrough. They conducted experiments with different electrolytes and compared outcomes between their technique and the standard one. With their corrosion-free approach, they consistently observed the formation of tiny dodecahedrons in all cases.
The imaging technique cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) allowed the researchers to visualize the lithium shape with atomic-level detail. This technique, commonly used in biological sciences, has gained traction in materials science as well. In this study, the researchers benefited from their prior work on lithium analysis using cryo-EM and utilized specialized cryo-EM instruments at CNSI’s Electron Imaging Center for Nanomachines.
In conclusion, UCLA’s research holds immense potential for advancing the field of lithium-metal batteries by promoting safety and enhancing performance. The revelation of the unique rhombic dodecahedron shape challenges conventional wisdom and offers a new perspective on shaping lithium deposition for improved battery technology.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lithium-metal battery innovation
What is the significance of the UCLA research on lithium-metal batteries?
UCLA researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery by preventing corrosion during the deposition of lithium, revealing a unique 12-sided shape for lithium atoms. This could lead to safer and more efficient lithium-metal batteries, potentially revolutionizing energy storage.
How do lithium-metal batteries differ from lithium-ion batteries?
Lithium-metal batteries coat the electrode with metallic lithium, storing more lithium than lithium-ion batteries. This improves performance but raises explosion risks due to formation of spiky structures.
What is the impact of preventing corrosion in lithium deposition?
By avoiding corrosion during lithium deposition, the atoms form a structured 12-sided shape, reducing the risk of explosions. This innovation could enhance the safety and performance of lithium-metal batteries.
How does this discovery challenge conventional wisdom?
The research contradicts the belief that electrolyte choice dictates lithium’s deposition shape. Instead, by outpacing corrosion, researchers revealed the natural structure of lithium growth.
How was the unique lithium structure visualized?
Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) was employed, a technique commonly used in biological sciences. Researchers at UCLA used specialized cryo-EM instruments to visualize the atomic-level details of the lithium structure.
What implications does this research have for energy technology?
The discovery not only improves battery safety but also holds promise for high-performance energy technology. It challenges traditional approaches to lithium deposition and opens new avenues for innovation.
Why are lithium-metal batteries not widely used?
While they can store double the energy of lithium-ion batteries, lithium-metal batteries have a higher risk of catching fire or exploding. The UCLA research addresses this risk by preventing corrosion during lithium deposition.
More about Lithium-metal battery innovation
- UCLA researchers – UCLA’s official page about the research
- Nature journal – Link to the published study in Nature
- California NanoSystems Institute – Official website of the institute involved in the research
- Cryo-electron microscopy – Article explaining the technique used for imaging the lithium structure
- Lithium-ion vs. Lithium-metal batteries – A comparison of lithium-ion and lithium-metal battery technologies
2 comments
Noticing lotss typos n grammar issues, but juicy discovery – lithium shaping up all cool, sparks mind fireworks!
omg this cud be huuuge for like EVs & renewable energy storage, ya know? Li-ion vs Li-metal, gotta keep an eye on dis!