This release is available in German.
The latest development by engineers of KIT is inspired by nature. To fill the porous electrodes of lithium-ion batteries more rapidly with liquid electrolyte, they use a physico-chemical effect that also provides for transport in trees. The new process increases the throughput of battery production and reduces investment costs. These and other innovations will be presented by KIT at the eCarTec International Electromobility Fair in Munich (hall A5, stand 323) from October 18 to 20.
The electrodes inside modern batteries are as porous as a sponge. Unlike household sponges, however, pore size is in the micrometer range. As a result, the electrode has a very large surface area and provides much space for the chemical processes during electric charge and discharge. This is necessary for developing batteries for electric vehicles that can cover large distances and be recharged rapidly. "But the pores have to be filled completely with the electro-lyte in order to work optimally," explains Dr. Wilhelm Pfleging from KIT. The liquid electrolyte is the transport medium, in which the charged ions can flow between anode and cathode in the battery. "Without electrolyte, there is no charge equalization inside and no current flow outside." The materials used in electrodes and the elec-trolyte of conventional high-energy batteries for automotive indus-try, however, provide for a bad wetting of the electrode surface by the liquid electrolyte only.
Consequently, much time and expenditure in battery production have been spent so far for making the electrolyte move into the smallest pore, if possible, and for maximizing battery capacity. The liquid is forced to enter the material by expensive and time-consuming storage processes at vacuum or elevated temperatures. "Our new process allows to reduce this time from seve
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| Contact: Monika Landgraf presse@kit.edu 49-721-608-47414 Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres Source:Eurekalert |