Ever thought about the power source inside electric cars?
They use special types of batteries. But just like your phone, these batteries can have issues. They can get too hot or not hold enough charge for a long drive.
Plus, making them can be pricey and bad for the environment.
Now, there’s some exciting news! Scientists have found a way to make a key part of these batteries in a cooler, cheaper, and greener way.
Why is this a big deal?
For electric cars to be everywhere, we need better batteries. Batteries that last longer and cost less. The US government knows this. They’ve set some tough goals. By 2030, they want these batteries to be super-efficient and cheap. The problem? Our current batteries can’t meet these goals.
What’s the new approach?
Batteries have different parts. One part, called the electrolyte, lets electricity flow inside. Most batteries use a liquid for this. But this liquid can catch fire. Not good, right?
The new idea? Use a solid material instead. This material is like a special ceramic. It can’t catch fire easily. Plus, it stops other problems, like short circuits.
The best ceramic for this job is something with a mouthful of a name: Li7La3Zr2O12−d (let’s call it LLZO).
But there’s been a problem. To make LLZO work, you have to heat it to very high temperatures (over 1050°C or 1922°F). This heat can ruin other parts of the battery. And, it makes everything more expensive and harmful to the planet.
The game-changing discovery
Here comes the cool part. A team of smart folks, led by Jennifer L. M. Rupp from two big universities (MIT in the US and TU Munich in Germany), found a new way.
Instead of starting with a ceramic, they started with a liquid. And they figured out how to turn this liquid into the LLZO ceramic without super high heat.
They used some high-tech tools and created a plan. This plan lets them make the ceramic by heating it at only 500°C (932°F) for 10 hours. That’s a big drop from the earlier 1050°C!
This new method is like a secret recipe for better batteries. It means we can make the batteries safer and cheaper.
Also, this new way helps the planet. It uses less heat, which saves energy. And, it might let us avoid using some metals that are hard to get and can cause problems in the world.
Cars of the future need super batteries. This discovery is a big step towards that. It’s a mix of science, tech, and caring for our planet.
And who knows? Maybe soon, you’ll be driving an electric car powered by this fantastic new battery!
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