Researchers have developed a new method of charging lithium-ion batteries that could significantly extend their lifespan by an average of eight years.
This method, which uses “pulse current” charging instead of the usual “direct current” charging, has the potential to double the life of batteries used in smartphones and laptops.
Published March 14 in the journal Advanced Material Sciences, this charging method could revolutionize the production of lithium-ion batteries. Typically, such batteries are used in a wide range of devices, from smartphones to electric cars, but their capacity gradually decreases with time and the number of charge cycles.
Using the example of Lenovo laptop batteries, which according to the manufacturer can last up to five years or go through 300 to 500 charging cycles, the researchers demonstrated that using the pulse current charging method can significantly increase their service life.
Pulsed current increases the number of charge cycles to more than 1000, compared to the usual 500 cycles for DC charging. This method allows batteries to hold more charge by periodically pausing between current pulses, which allows the electrode materials to rest and reduces cracking.
These results open up new opportunities for optimizing the charging of lithium-ion batteries and the development of future technologies in this field. Scientists claim that the use of “pulse current” charging not only extends the life of batteries, but also contributes to their overall health.
This method of charging is also in line with previous studies confirming its effectiveness. Recently, Professor Josefin Strandberg of the Royal Institute of Technology KTH in Sweden discovered that a charging protocol based on pulsed current can significantly improve the condition of lithium-ion batteries.
These latest discoveries could be an important step in the development of electronic devices, providing them with a longer service life and increasing their energy efficiency.