TECHNOLOGY
A technology that could dramatically increase the range and decrease the charging time of electric vehicle (EV) batteries could soon be in many more cars. The technology swaps the graphite normally used on the negatively charged anodes of lithium-ion EV batteries for silicon. Panasonic recently announced a partnership with Sila Nanotechnologies, which makes the silicon anodes, to integrate the technology into the company’s existing battery production line in 2024.
Over 14 million electric vehicles were sold in 2023, and their popularity is expected to increase in the coming years. Currently, these vehicles use high-performance lithium-ion batteries. While these batteries are getting better every day, some obstacles still limit their usability and convenience. “The capability of a battery to store energy in relation to its size and weight, known as energy density, is a key factor for electric vehicles, as it affects the distance they can cover on a single charge,” said Azin Fahimi, chief scientific officer at Sienza Energy, who leads a team working on a different silicon anode implementation than Sila. “Another crucial aspect is power density, which refers to how quickly a battery can supply energy.” In other words, if a car can’t go very far between charges, it’s a nonstarter for many consumers. So why does the new silicon anode have such a dramatic impact on the range and charge time?
Batteries rely on the movement of charged particles, known as ions, between the electrodes, or two electrical conductors. During charging, lithium ions move from the positive electrode, called the cathode, through a conducting solution called the electrolyte and into the negative electrode – the anode – where they are stored until power is needed. “When the battery is providing power to a device, the lithium ions move back from the anode to the cathode,” Fahimi said. “This movement of ions allows electrons to
