Batteries more efficient and cheaper

Scientists at the University of Duisburg-Essen achieved significant progress

Scientists at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) have made significant progress in increasing the efficiency of batteries and accumulators. Researchers from the Center for Nano Integration (CeNIDE) produce nanomaterials, which increase the energy content of lithium-ion Dell Inspiron 1525 battery by 15 percent and reduce the costs while at seven percent.

Their use in electric vehicles have batteries in particular are easily and quickly deliver more energy. Therefore, batteries with maximum performance, frequent charge and discharge cycles and low price in the focus of research. The best prospects for their production provide the tiniest particles. Under the direction of the nano research CeNIDE Energy Technology Center (NET), therefore, of nanoscale silicon-carbon composite material for the electrodes of lithium-ion DELL Studio 1537 battery.

Nanoparticles in sufficient quantities

For a long time there was simply a lack of sufficient quantities of nano-material to test new technologies or produce at all. But since 2009 is at the Duisburg Institute for Energy and Environmental Technology (IUTA) a plant for the manufacture of tiny particles with defined properties on a kilogram scale. So here also arise nanoscale silicon particles that use the researchers for the development of lithium-ion Dell Inspiron 1520 battery: embedded in a matrix of carbon improve the tiny silicon particles in the electrode storage density and performance of the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 battery.

"We are optimistic that we have carried out within the next two years, the most important tests and can proceed into the industrialization of the processes," said Christof Schulz, who works with over 50 scientists in the subject. "In the series production, we can thus not only increase the energy density of batteries, but also lower costs in addition to seven percent."

Research on lithium-ion DELL Latitude D630 battery is currently focused on increasing the capacity of this memory to enable longer run times. So far, graphite electrodes are used as the above-described "memory" for lithium atoms. One promising alternative is silicon is that can accommodate the same volume significantly more lithium. The problem is the associated volume change: Saves a graphite electrode, lithium, it has grown by nine percent, in the case of a silicon electrode is 300 percent.

Stable nano-silicon

The storage of lithium therefore leads to mechanical damage to the silicon matrix, which lead to a permanent reduction in capacity. Here is the advantage of nanoscale silicon comes into play: It is because of its small size and porosity of the particles associated significantly more stable than its macroscopic counterpart. A composite material made of silicon particles embedded in a matrix of carbon, can therefore combine properties such as high conductivity, high storage density and stability.