This Is What A Li-On Electrode Looks Like As It Drains And Charges

This Is What A Li-On Electrode Looks Like As It Drains And Charges

Lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous — as is their gradual degradation over the lifetime of a gadget. Now, using a new imaging technique, a team of researchers shows what happens deep within li-on cells as they charge and discharge.

The team, from the Department of Energy’s Joint Center for Energy Storage Research, has created what they call an operando electrochemical stage. Using this — as well as a cutting-edge electron microscope — they’re able to record at nanoscale-resolution what happens inside li-on cells as lithium ions are deposited on to an electrode and then dissolve back off.

You can see how, over time, lithium becomes irreversibly deposited to the electrodes. These build ups are called dendrites and they’re what causes the batteries to degrade and ultimately fail over time. By being able to image electrodes in this way, researchers will be able to more quickly assess new battery technologies, to establish what works and what doesn’t. And, hopefully, make us some batteries that last a little longer. [Nano Letters via PhysOrg]


The Cheapest NBN 50 Plans

It’s the most popular NBN speed in Australia for a reason. Here are the cheapest plans available.

At Gizmodo, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. We have affiliate and advertising partnerships, which means we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. BTW – prices are accurate and items in stock at the time of posting.