Researchers Tout Improved Cold-Weather Battery Charging

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University say they have developed an improved lithium-ion battery structure that can maintain fast-charging capabilities in extremely cold weather.

In current designs, lithium plating onto carbon anodes can occur during cold-weather charging. This can significantly reduce battery life and cause instability. Electric cars also use extra energy to heat the battery as they charge in cold weather.

The Penn State team’s approach uses embedded nickel foils in the cathode that preheat the anode to prevent plating. The foils also serve as an internal temperature sensor.

In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, the researchers say the new design allows batteries to be charged to 80% capacity within 15 minutes at temperatures as low as -50°C.

The new batteries can be charged 4,500 times with less than 20% capacity loss, according to the researchers. They say current systems can degrade to that level after just 50 charge cycles. Weight and cost increases of the foils are said to be nominal.