Archive · 31 Dec 2025
Researchers Discover Hidden Flaw in Advanced EV Batteries
Researchers have found out why some advanced batteries for electric cars don't last as long as expected.
They discovered that tiny cracks form inside the battery's cathode due to stress from charging and discharging.
These cracks let harmful chemicals in, which makes the battery wear out faster.
Scientists used to think that using single-crystal materials would solve this problem, but they found that these materials also crack, just in a different way.
They also learned that some metals, like cobalt, which were thought to be bad, actually help make the batteries last longer.
This discovery will help make better and safer batteries for electric cars in the future.
Researchers identified stress buildup in cathode materials as the cause of battery degradation.
Single-crystal cathodes, thought to be more durable, also suffer from internal cracking.
Chemical reactions during charging cause uneven expansion and contraction within single-crystal cathodes.
Cobalt, previously considered harmful, improves durability in single-crystal batteries by reducing internal stresses.
The findings provide a clearer path to developing safer and longer-lasting EV batteries.
- Who
- Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago
- What
- Discovered the cause of degradation in advanced EV batteries
- When
- December 16, 2023
- Where
- Published in Nature Nanotechnology
- Why
- To improve the lifespan and safety of electric vehicle batteries
- Publication Date
- December 16
- Journal
- Nature Nanotechnology
- Researchers
- Argonne National Laboratory and University of Chicago
- Key Issue
- Stress buildup in cathode materials
- Traditional Materials
- Polycrystalline nickel-rich cathodes
- New Materials
- Single-crystal cathodes
- Critical Element
- Cobalt