The development of solid-state batteries has been gaining momentum in recent years, promising safer and more powerful alternatives to traditional lithium-ion batteries. A team of researchers from the University of Texas at Dallas has made a significant breakthrough in this field by discovering that mixing small particles between two solid electrolytes can generate an effect called a “space charge layer.” This accumulation of electric charge at the interface between the materials has been found to create pathways that make it easier for ions to move across, potentially leading to better-performing solid-state batteries.

The researchers, led by Dr. Laisuo Su and Dr. Kyeongjae Cho, published their study in ACS Energy Letters, where it was featured on the cover of the March issue. They discovered that when the separate solid electrolyte materials make physical contact, a layer forms at their boundary where charged particles, or ions, accumulate due to differences in each material’s chemical potential.

“Imagine mixing two ingredients in a recipe and unexpectedly getting a result that is better than either ingredient alone,” Dr. Su explained. “This effect boosted the movement of ions beyond what either material could achieve by itself.”

The research is part of the university’s Batteries and Energy to Advance Commercialization and National Security (BEACONS) initiative, which aims to develop and commercialize new battery technology and manufacturing processes. The team’s findings suggest a new way to design better solid electrolytes by carefully choosing materials that interact in a way that enhances ionic movement.

Solid-state batteries show promise for generating and storing more than twice as much power as batteries with liquid electrolytes, while being safer because they are not flammable. However, the development of solid-state batteries faces challenges due to difficulties in moving ions through solid materials.

The researchers plan to continue studying how the composition and structure of the interface lead to greater ionic conductivity. This breakthrough has the potential to unlock the full potential of solid-state batteries, enabling advanced battery systems that can improve the performance of drones for defense applications.

In conclusion, the discovery of the space charge layer phenomenon offers a promising new direction for the development of solid-state batteries. By understanding and harnessing this effect, researchers may be able to create more efficient and powerful batteries that meet the growing demands of mobile devices, electric vehicles, and other applications.

The world’s transition to electric vehicles is driving demand for lithium, a crucial mineral used in lightweight and powerful lithium-ion batteries. A recent analysis from the University of California, Davis, has shed light on how new mining operations and battery recycling could meet this growing demand. Recycling, it turns out, plays a significant role in easing supply constraints.

“Batteries are an enormous new source of demand for lithium,” says Alissa Kendall, Ray B. Krone endowed professor of Environmental Engineering at UC Davis and senior author on the paper. “Global demand for lithium has risen dramatically – by 30% between 2022 and 2023 alone – as adoption of electric vehicles continues.”

Previous research has focused on forecasting cumulative demand over the next 30 years compared to what is known to be in the ground, says graduate student Pablo Busch, first author on the paper. However, opening a new lithium mine is a potentially billion-dollar investment that could take 10 to 15 years to begin production.

New mining proposals can be delayed or cancelled by environmental regulations and local opposition. “It’s not just about having enough lithium; it’s how fast you can extract it,” Busch notes. “Any supply disruption will slow down electric vehicle adoption, reducing mobility access and extending the operation of combustion engine vehicles and their associated carbon emissions.”

There are three main sources of usable lithium: briny water from deep underground; rocks; and sedimentary clays. Half the world’s lithium currently comes from Australia, where it is mostly mined from rock. The United States has lithium-rich brine in geothermal areas and oilfields, as well as lithium-bearing clay.

A fourth source of lithium – recycling old batteries – is still a relatively expensive process compared to mining, Kendall notes. However, modeling supply and demand shows that recycling could dramatically reduce the need for new mines. Under high-demand scenarios, up to 85 new and additional lithium deposits would need to be opened by 2050. But through policies that push the market toward smaller batteries and extensive global recycling, this number could be reduced to as few as 15 new mines.

Battery recycling has an outsize effect on the market, the researchers say. “Recycling is really important for geopolitical and environmental reasons,” Kendall notes. “If you can meet a small percentage of demand with recycling, it can have a big impact on the need for new mines.”

Timing is everything; some new mines need to open to create a flow of lithium that can be recycled. Depending on the demand scenario, recycling would make the biggest difference around 2035.

Efficiency standards for electric cars and improvements to the public charging network to reduce “range anxiety” could also moderate lithium demand by encouraging smaller cars. Additional authors include Yunzhu Chen and Prosper Ogbonna, both at UC Davis, with funding from the Heising-Simons Foundation and the ClimateWorks Foundation.

Unveiling Electron Secrets: A Groundbreaking Experiment on the Bound Electron g-Factor in Lithium-Like Tin

Physicists at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics have achieved a groundbreaking experiment that pushes the limits of precision measurement. By studying the bound electron g-factor in lithium-like tin, they have made an unprecedented leap forward in our understanding of quantum electrodynamics (QED). This fundamental theory describes all electromagnetic phenomena, including light and its interactions with matter.

The researchers’ goal was to test QED’s predictions even more rigorously than ever before. They employed an enhanced interelectronic QED method, incorporating effects up to the two-loop level, which has led to a 25-fold improvement over previous calculations for the g-factor in hydrogen-like systems.

To measure the g-factor of the bound electron in lithium-like tin, the scientists utilized the cryogenic Penning trap ALPHATRAP. This sophisticated device allows precise control over the ion’s motion and spin precession. By detecting small electric signals induced by the ion’s movement and sending microwave radiation to induce spin flips, they extracted the g-factor value with remarkable accuracy.

The experimental result agrees well with the theoretical prediction within the uncertainty of the calculation. The overall accuracy achieved is 0.5 parts per billion, showcasing the precision of this experiment. This breakthrough demonstrates that scientists can continue to test QED’s predictions and push the boundaries of human knowledge in understanding the fundamental forces of nature.

The researchers’ findings have significant implications for the development of new theories and models. They demonstrate that even more precise measurements are possible with advancements in technology and theory. As a result, this experiment sets the stage for further investigations into QED phenomena, such as parity non-conserving transitions in neutral atoms and other effects.

In conclusion, this groundbreaking experiment on the bound electron g-factor in lithium-like tin has pushed the limits of precision measurement, providing new insights into QED’s predictions. The scientists’ dedication to collaborative research and innovative techniques has led to a significant leap forward in our understanding of quantum mechanics and its interactions with matter.