University Research

Lithium-ion phosphate batteries that charges rapidly - Penn State University

Lithium-ion phosphate batteries for extended range and fast charging capacity.

Penn State engineers are looking at lithium iron phosphate batteries that have a range of 250 miles with the ability to charge in 10 minutes.
With this battery, there is no more range anxiety and this battery is affordable.
The battery should be good for 2 million miles in its lifetime.
The key to long-life and rapid recharging is the battery's ability to quickly heat up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, for charge and discharge, and then cool down when the battery is not working.
The battery uses a self-healing approach previously developed in Wang's center.
The self-heating battery uses a thin nickel foil with one end attached to the negative terminal and the other extending outside the cell to create a third terminal.
Once electrons flow it rapidly heats up the nickel foil through resistance heating and warm the inside of the battery.
Once the battery's internal temperature is 140 degrees F, the switch opens and the battery is ready for rapid charge or discharge.