At a half-step deeper, not all of the lithium in a battery moves. Some of it has to stay in the cathode to stop it collapsing. Much research is happening to increase the mobilisation fraction (while keeping the battery working). That would cut the amount of lithium required for a given capacity, and therefore cut the cost of the battery in a car.
Other research is about incorporating silicon into the anode alongside or replacing graphite to increase charging speed. Silicon brings its own problems to solve, though.
Yet other research is into improved electrolytes that would allow the anode to be metallic lithium, doing away with graphite altogether, saving weight and cost. This is one area in which AI might help, checking billions of chemical formulas for the right properties.
In line with the theme of this blog, it's lots of little changes, painstakingly researched over decades, that eventually add up to a big improvement in cost, weight, and durability. Eventually? No, rapidly, in the case of lithium batteries, compared to say lead-acid batteries or car paints.
Thanks book preordered; I am looking forward to it. Your insights into supply chains from raw materials, through intermediate processing, to final products - who, when where and how in elegant prose is educational and important.
All of what you discuss is vital to our modern world. One point I'm sure about is, unless we want to live in mud huts or caves, why not, we will need oil for decades to come. Not to burn as fossil fuels, although how do we make steel, but to make the materials that build our houses for example. Yes we are developing new ways but to upscale will take some time and a lot of money. Well done Ed I've pre-ordered the book.
In your opinion, based on what you've seen, what is the physical limit of a battery? A powerful battery today has 100 kWh but weighs 400/600 kg and needs 250 kWh power unit to recharge quickly.
What happens as the batteries degrade over time? And how much of a degraded battery is useful for recycling? Will there ever be a steady state in supply of battery components?
It certainly is fascinating!
At a half-step deeper, not all of the lithium in a battery moves. Some of it has to stay in the cathode to stop it collapsing. Much research is happening to increase the mobilisation fraction (while keeping the battery working). That would cut the amount of lithium required for a given capacity, and therefore cut the cost of the battery in a car.
Other research is about incorporating silicon into the anode alongside or replacing graphite to increase charging speed. Silicon brings its own problems to solve, though.
Yet other research is into improved electrolytes that would allow the anode to be metallic lithium, doing away with graphite altogether, saving weight and cost. This is one area in which AI might help, checking billions of chemical formulas for the right properties.
In line with the theme of this blog, it's lots of little changes, painstakingly researched over decades, that eventually add up to a big improvement in cost, weight, and durability. Eventually? No, rapidly, in the case of lithium batteries, compared to say lead-acid batteries or car paints.
Thanks book preordered; I am looking forward to it. Your insights into supply chains from raw materials, through intermediate processing, to final products - who, when where and how in elegant prose is educational and important.
Thanks, I have preordered!
All of what you discuss is vital to our modern world. One point I'm sure about is, unless we want to live in mud huts or caves, why not, we will need oil for decades to come. Not to burn as fossil fuels, although how do we make steel, but to make the materials that build our houses for example. Yes we are developing new ways but to upscale will take some time and a lot of money. Well done Ed I've pre-ordered the book.
Thanks for this amazing post.
In your opinion, based on what you've seen, what is the physical limit of a battery? A powerful battery today has 100 kWh but weighs 400/600 kg and needs 250 kWh power unit to recharge quickly.
Thank you
p.s. book translated ?
What happens as the batteries degrade over time? And how much of a degraded battery is useful for recycling? Will there ever be a steady state in supply of battery components?