Researchers at French battery-maker Saft and Université Paris Est have, for the first time, used a nanocomposite metal hydride as the anode in a complete solid-state battery with a sulfur cathode and LiBH4 electrolyte. In “An all-solid-state metal hydride-Sulfur lithium-ion battery,” published in the Journal of Power Sources, Pedro López-Aranguren and colleagues explain that their… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "Performance Team "
New coating beefs up performance of lithium-sulfur batteries
New types of electrodes – positive and negative terminals – are considered essential for the development of a new generation of high energy-density batteries. As lithium-ion batteries begin to reach their capacity limits, many researchers are looking at lithium-sulfur as a solution. Sulfur is both lightweight and abundant, with a high theoretical energy capacity. However,… Read more »
Flax straw extract improves aluminum-air battery performance
The aluminum-air battery, which uses a catalytic air cathode and an aluminum anode, has intrigued researchers for some time, because of its high theoretical specific energy. However, the problem is overcoming parasitic hydrogen evolution caused by the corrosion of the aluminum anode during discharge. In “Improvement of Aluminum-Air Battery Performances by the Application of Flax… Read more »
Stanford team develops Li-metal anodes
Lithium-metal anodes are the favored solution for next-generation Li-air or Li-sulfur batteries for various reasons, including their high specific capacity (theoretically tenfold higher than graphite). However, safety issues resulting from dendrite formation and instability caused by volume expansion have slowed the development of commercially viable solutions. In “Composite lithium metal anode by melt infusion of… Read more »
2016 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron delivers performance and practicality
The selection of plug-in vehicles available to US buyers continues to grow steadily – it now stands at 27 models, with several more expected this year. The latest entrant to the market is the 2016 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron, the German luxury brand’s first plug-in model available in the US. Every time a new plug-in… Read more »
Chevy designed the Bolt with performance in mind (not just range and price)
In the eyes of the EV media at least, the Chevrolet Bolt EV, scheduled to go on sale later this year, is a historic vehicle. It’s the first to deliver the range and price point that pundits have been saying represent a “tipping point” for EV sales. However, GM designed the Bolt with more than… Read more »
Two-level cathode structure improves battery performance
As the search for a better battery grinds on, a lot of the attention is focused on potential cathode materials. Nickel is one possibility that shows a lot of promise – its drawback is that it is unstable and tends to have destructive reactions with the electrolyte. Now a team of scientists from the Brookhaven… Read more »
Gallium nitride power diode shows near-ideal performance in all aspects simultaneously
Silicon-based semiconductors are approaching their performance limits, so researchers are investigating materials such as gallium nitride (GaN) as potential replacements. A team of engineers from Cornell, Notre Dame and the semiconductor company IQE has created GaN power diodes capable of serving as the building blocks for future GaN power switches. Alas, GaN is prone to… Read more »
Jaguar returns to racing with Formula E team
Jaguar has a long and illustrious history in auto racing, but it got out of the sport in 2004, when its Formula One team was sold to Red Bull. It’s a sign of the electrifying times that the beloved British brand’s return to global motorsport will be as part of the FIA Formula E Championship…. Read more »
Tohoku U team produces rare-earth-free Fe-Ni magnet
High-performance magnets, which are critical for EV motors, typically depend on rare earth elements such as samarium, neodymium and dysprosium. These exotic materials are not only costly, but also present environmental and political challenges. Researchers from Tohoku University in Japan recently succeeded in producing a completely rare-earth-free high-quality magnet made of iron and nickel. The… Read more »
