Due to Korean Researchers, Petrol Cars Face Potential End

Electric vehicles (EVs) are now an alternative for the public besides petrol-powered cars. As the industry develops further, the price of these vehicles has become much more affordable compared to their initial launch. The declining price of EVs makes them an attractive option for many people, also posing a threat to petrol cars. Moreover, the EV industry is now considered increasingly mature. Besides price issues, the appeal of EVs in the future is predicted to continue increasing thanks to the latest innovations. Researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology in South Korea have succeeded in discovering new battery technology that can enhance the attractiveness of EVs. The researchers have developed a silicon-based battery for EVs. This finding becomes a turning point in the automotive industry, as it can accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. One of the advantages of the discovered silicon battery is its extremely long range. A single charge is claimed to cover up to 1,000 km. Researchers from Pohang have also overcome the challenges of using silicon batteries. This type of battery expands up to three times when charged and only shrinks back later. Therefore, most research has tried to make batteries with nano-sized silicon particles that are very small. A new problem then emerged. Nano particles require expensive production costs and a complex process. Meanwhile, researchers from Pohang took a different approach by using silicon 1,000 times larger, in micro scale. This makes production easier and cheaper, with more ample energy density. Regarding the expansion and contraction of silicon particles, the researchers used a polymer electrolyte gel. This will change as the silicon also changes shape. The gel will be chemically bonded with radiation through electron beam exposure. The result is a stable bond even though the silicon particles expand and contract. As a result, they can create a silicon battery equivalent to standard lithium-ion with an energy density 40% greater. According to the researchers, their designed silicon battery can be easily applied. “We used a micro-silicon anode, resulting in a stable battery. This research brings us closer to a high-energy-density lithium-ion battery system,” said Park Soojin from Pohang University.