Enovix Can Recharge Its 3D Silicon Lithium-Ion Battery in Under 10 Minutes
US battery maker Enovix can recharge its electric vehicle battery cells in under 10 minutes.
As PV Magazine reports(Opens in a new window), the company has demonstrated a 0.27Ah test battery cell can charge from 0-80% in 5.2 minutes, while achieving over a 98% charge in under 10 minutes.
"Our unique architecture enables a battery that not only charges in less than 10 minutes, but also maintains high cycle life," explained Ashok Lahiri(Opens in a new window), co-founder and CTO of Enovix. "We can improve battery performance today using the same chemistries, but more importantly, we can accelerate the industry’s roadmap."
Enovix developed a 3D silicon lithium-ion cell with a novel architecture and constraint system that uses a 100% active silicon anode. Where as most Li-on batteries today use a graphite anode, silicon anodes can theoretically store more than twice as much lithium (1,800mAh/cc compared to 800mAh/cc for graphite).
Silicon anodes aren't without their problems, but Evonix claims to have overcome the four big technical challenges: preventing first charge battery swelling, first charge efficiency, swelling from repeated recharging, and a short usable lifespan. Enovix uses a stainless-steel constraint system to limit battery swelling, a "pre-lithiation" process for first-charge efficiency, and its batteries have surpassed 1,000 cycles while retaining 93% capacity.
As well as EV batteries, Enovix is planning to offer its 3D silicon lithium-ion batteries for smartphones, laptops, and wearables. As to when they will be available, Enovix says it's scaling up production this year and planning multiple manufacturing facilities. Fab-1 is located in Freemont, California where the company is based.
Lahiri is giving a
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