lithium batteries tagged posts

The porosity of the nanostructured Tantalum (in black) enables the formation of silicon channels (in blue) allowing lithium ions to travel faster within the battery. The rigidity of the tantalum scaffold also limits the expansion of the silicon and preserve structural integrity. Credit: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University Nanoparticles by Design Unit

Scientists have designed a novel silicon-based anode to provide lithium batteries with increased power and better stability. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) power most of our portable electronics, but they are flammable and can even explode, as it happened to a recent model of smartphone...

Coupling with perovskite solar cell holds potential for cleaner cars, home power sources and more. Researchers have wired 4 perovskite solar cells in series to enhance the voltage and directly photo-charged lithium batteries with 7.8% efficiency – the most efficient reported to date, the researchers believe.

“Others have used polymer solar cells to charge lithium batteries, but not with this efficiency.” Perovskite solar cells have active materials with a crystalline structure identical to the mineral perovskite and are considered a promising new design for capturing solar energy. Compared to silicon-based cells, they convert a broader spectrum of sunlight into electricity..

Dai’s lab made multilayer solar cells, which increases their energy density, performance and stability...