Petrol Cars Face Extinction Due to Korean Researchers' Discovery

Society now has an alternative to petrol-powered cars in the form of electric vehicles (EVs). As the EV industry matures, their prices are becoming more affordable compared to when they were first developed. A new innovation in EV batteries discovered by research at Pohang University of Science and Technology in South Korea could further enhance the appeal of EVs. The researchers have successfully developed a silicon-based battery for EVs. This finding represents a turning point in the automotive industry, as it could accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. One of the advantages of the discovered silicon battery is its exceptionally long range. A single charge is claimed to cover up to 1,000 km. Researchers from Pohang have also addressed the challenges of using silicon batteries. This type of battery expands to three times its size when charged and only then shrinks back. Therefore, most research has attempted to create batteries using nano-sized silicon particles that are extremely small. However, a new problem then arose. Nano particles require expensive production costs and complex processes. Meanwhile, researchers from Pohang took a different approach by using silicon that is 1,000 times larger, in micro scale. This makes production easier and cheaper, with more generous energy density. Regarding the expansion and contraction of silicon particles, the researchers used a polymer gel electrolyte. This gel changes as the silicon changes shape. The gel is chemically bonded using radiation through electron beam exposure. The result is a stable bond even as the silicon particles expand and contract. As a result, they were able to create a silicon battery equivalent to standard lithium-ion batteries, with an energy density 40% greater. According to the researchers, their silicon battery design can be easily applied. “We used micro-silicon anodes, 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.