Paving the way for ‘next-generation’ lithium-ion batteries
A new study from Penn Engineering details the complex electrochemical process that causes certain types of batteries to degrade, insights that could aid in the design of longer lasting, more efficient batteries in the future.
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are widely used in phones, tablets, and laptops. But before they can be applied in more power-intensive settings, such as for electric vehicles, these power sources need to be redesigned to be smaller, cheaper, and able to charge more quickly while still performing at a high level.
One approach is to develop new types of electrodes that can store larger amounts of lithium by using alloy-type materials in a battery’s anode. However, this approach is not widely used because the charging cycle causes the lithium-storing particles in the anode to expand and eventually break apart, resulting in a battery that quickly fails. Worse, the actual mechanisms responsible for this degradation are not yet well-understood.
Now, in a new a study published in ACS Energy Letters, researchers from the School of Engineering and Applied Science detail the complex electrochemical process that causes alloy-type batteries to degrade and fail. Using advanced nanoscale imaging techniques, the new insights gained from this work could aid in the design of longer lasting, more efficient lithium-ion batteries in the future.
Understanding order to disorder at the atomic scale opens possibilities for next-generation electronic devices
A Penn team has developed insight into the chemical and geometric mechanisms underlying the synthesis of new 2D materials, paving the way for next-gen devices, biomedical applications, and cleaner, quicker energy conversion and storage.
Exposure to air pollution worsens Alzheimer’s disease
New research from Penn Medicine finds living in areas with high concentration of air pollution is associated with increased buildup of amyloid and tau proteins in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, accelerating cognitive decline.
Penn buildings achieve LEED certifications, showcasing commitment to sustainability
Three recent building projects at the University of Pennsylvania have earned LEED Platinum, Gold, and Silver certifications, underscoring Penn’s ongoing commitment to sustainable design and construction.
What stiffening lung tissue reveals about the earliest stages of fibrosis
A Penn Engineering team has targeted the lung’s extracellular matrix to better understand early fibrosis by triggering the formation of special chemical bonds that increase tissue stiffness in specific locations, mimicking the first physical changes that may lead to lung fibrosis.
