Pressurizing EV battery electrodes could make them last longer, if it’s done right

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that the right amount of pressure on EV battery electrodes could double their lifespan, per Physics World. The challenge: it's a delicate balance. The team found an optimal pressure of twelve point five bar, which doubled battery lifetime in their tests compared to lower-pressure setups, though too little pressure accelerates cathode cracking and too much causes lithium plating on the anode. The findings, published Thursday in Nature Energy, suggest real-world benefits: longer-lasting batteries ease the burden on lithium mining and could boost the resale value of used electric vehicles. Cambridge Enterprise has already filed a patent on the approach and plans to test other battery chemistries.

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