Summary
- Volt Carbon Technologies has created a high-entropy electrolyte to enhance battery performance at low temperatures, functioning at -80° C in testing.
- Solid UltraBattery produced a proof of concept for the electrolyte in collaboration with Dr. Aiping Yu from the University of Waterloo.
- Testing showed that the new electrolyte outperformed conventional electrolytes at temperatures as low as -80° C, with significant advancements in battery technology for cold environments.
- Volt Carbon is working on pouch cells to validate the electrolyte’s performance at a commercial scale.
- The innovative electrolyte has the potential to benefit industries like automotive, aerospace, and defense by providing reliable energy storage in extreme conditions, especially in regions like Canada with harsh winter weather.
Article
Canadian battery raw material and technology developer Volt Carbon Technologies has successfully designed a high-entropy electrolyte that can improve battery performance at extremely low temperatures, as low as -80° C. This breakthrough was achieved through the collaboration of Volt subsidiary Solid UltraBattery and Dr. Aiping Yu, a renowned expert in carbon nanomaterials and a Board Member at Volt. Testing conducted using lithium coin cells showed that the new electrolyte outperformed conventional electrolytes, retaining significantly higher capacity at temperatures as low as -80° C.
The results of the testing revealed that the electrolyte developed by Volt Carbon Technologies retained 62.5% of its capacity at -40° C, compared to just 16.8% for the standard electrolyte. At -60° C, the new electrolyte maintained 49.7% capacity while the standard electrolyte showed no capacity retention. Even at the extremely low temperature of -80° C, the electrolyte retained 30.3% capacity, representing a major advancement in battery technology for cold environments. This innovation has the potential to greatly benefit industries such as automotive, aerospace, and defense that require reliable energy storage solutions in harsh conditions.
Volt Carbon is currently working on developing pouch cells to validate the performance of the high-entropy electrolyte at a commercial scale. The company aims to address the urgent need for improved battery performance in cold weather conditions, particularly in regions like Canada where winter temperatures can severely impact battery efficiency. Dr. Hey Woong Park, Head of Battery Development at Solid UltraBattery, emphasized the significance of this technology in overcoming challenges related to cold-weather battery performance and ensuring reliable operation even in the most demanding climates.
The ability of the proprietary electrolyte to function effectively at temperatures as low as -80° C underscores its potential to provide reliable energy storage solutions for various industries operating in extreme conditions. The innovation by Volt Carbon Technologies is particularly crucial for areas where extreme cold weather can cause operational challenges for battery-powered devices, such as electric vehicles. The recent advancements in battery technology are aimed at addressing the issues faced by electric vehicle owners during winter freezes, which can lead to inefficient charging and stranded vehicles.
With the development of the high-entropy electrolyte, Volt Carbon Technologies is paving the way for enhanced battery performance in cold environments, offering a solution to the challenges faced by industries that require reliable energy storage solutions in extreme conditions. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize the battery technology landscape, providing a reliable and efficient solution for industries operating in harsh climates. The collaboration between Volt Carbon Technologies, Solid UltraBattery, and Dr. Aiping Yu has demonstrated the capabilities of the new electrolyte, showcasing its superiority over conventional electrolytes in maintaining battery capacity at incredibly low temperatures.
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