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Breakthrough Material Restores Aging Lithium-Ion Batteries to Full Voltage

Scientists from NIMTE and the University of Chicago have developed zero thermal expansion cathodes, enabling nearly complete voltage recovery and doubling battery lifespan.

Engineered in a metastable state, the material flips its response to heat, pressure, and voltage.
Representative stock image of a lithium ion battery.
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Overview

  • Researchers have engineered zero thermal expansion (ZTE) materials using reversible oxygen-redox chemistry to counteract structural degradation in lithium-ion batteries.
  • The newly developed cathodes achieve nearly 100% voltage recovery in aging batteries through in situ electrochemical activation with 4.0 V pulses.
  • Negative thermal expansion behavior, discovered in lithium-rich cathode materials, allows the materials to contract at high temperatures (150–250°C), defying traditional thermodynamic norms.
  • This innovation could pave the way for smart charging protocols and self-healing battery systems, potentially doubling the lifespan of batteries in electric vehicles and grid storage.
  • The findings, published in Nature, also highlight broader implications for material science, including applications in structural batteries and thermally stable construction materials.