Lithium-ion battery inventor creates fresh technology for fast-charging batteries

John Goodenough is widely credited for inventing lithium-ion batteries

John Goodenough, 94-year-old engineer who is widely credited for inventing lithium-ion batteries, has now developed a new technology that could lead to safer, faster-charging and longer-lasting rechargeable batteries for handheld mobile devices, electric cars and stationary energy storage.

The research done by Professor Goodenough and senior research fellow Maria Helena Braga at University of Texas at Austin allowed them to make the world’s first low-cost all-solid-state battery that is not only safe but also has a long cycle life, a high volumetric energy density and fast rates of charge and discharge.

“Cost, safety, energy density, rates of charge and discharge and cycle life are critical for battery-driven cars to be more widely adopted. We believe our discovery solves many of the problems that are inherent in today’s batteries,” Goodenough said.



The researchers demonstrated their new technology to show that new battery cells have at least three times more energy density as conventional lithium-ion batteries and also have faster rate of recharge. This would mean that cars that use batteries could have significantly higher travel range and would take a lot less to recharge.

Lithium-ion batteries use liquid electrolytes to transport the lithium ions between the anode and the cathode. These are susceptible to dendrites when charged very quickly and can cause a short circuit leading to explosions and fires. The new research now rely on glass electrolytes that enable the use of an alkali-metal anode without the formation of dendrites making them a lot safer.



The use of an alkali-metal anode also increases the energy density of a cathode and delivers a long cycle life. In addition to this the solid-glass electrolytes can operate at -20 degrees Celsius which could also electric cars to perform well in subzero degree weather.

Another advantage is that the battery cells can be made from earth-friendly materials. “The glass electrolytes allow for the substitution of low-cost sodium for lithium. Sodium is extracted from seawater that is widely available,” Maria Helena Braga said.

The two researcher are continuing to advance their battery-related research and hope to work with battery makers to develop and test their new materials in electric vehicles and energy storage devices.