Argonne builds on past success with cathode design for lithium-ion batteries
Design combines the best aspects of different compositions and structures into individual cathode particles

BY MICHAEL MATZ |OCTOBER 29, 2024
A breakthrough ​“dual-gradient” design for the battery’s cathode substantially increases energy storage capacity, stability and lifetime while reducing costs. It could accelerate widespread adoption of electric vehicles and grid batteries.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory has developed a new design that dramatically improves the performance and reduces the costs of lithium-ion batteries.

The design is likely to accelerate adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and grid energy storage, facilitating global decarbonization efforts. It continues Argonne’s decades-long history of leadership and innovation in battery research.

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❝This breakthrough material represents an across-the-board improvement for batteries. It features higher storage capacity, robust stability and heat tolerance at high voltages, and longer lifetimes. Its high energy density enables production of smaller, lower-cost batteries, supporting widespread adoption of EVs and grid batteries.❞ — Khalil Amine, Argonne Distinguished Fellow and leader of Argonne’s Advanced Battery Technology team

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The dual-gradient particles were much more durable than the original Argonne design. After charging and discharging the material 500 times, it lost only about 2% of its storage capacity. Based on this finding, the team expects that the material can support a much longer battery lifetime.

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