Environmental engineers are reducing transportation emissions by developing battery technology for electric vehicles (EVs). The EV market is growing as more politicians who care about the environment take office. The Biden-Harris administration, for instance, established an emission-reduction objective by increasing public EV fleets.
Many environmentalists are concerned about EV development plans because they expect difficulties with municipal solid waste (MSW). To reduce MSW from lithium-ion batteries, engineers are increasing the capacity of the batteries used in electric vehicles. Extending the battery life of electric cars may reduce emissions and advance the sector.
Current EV Battery Technology Challenges
The materials used in EV batteries provide the biggest environmental problem. Most EVs use lithium-ion batteries to store power and increase their range. Ecologists have identified many types of environmental deterioration linked to lithium mining and battery production.
A poisonous leak from the Ganzizhou Rongda mine was found when locals living close to the Liqi River spotted dead fish and animal corpses at the river’s bank. Local ecosystems close to mines can contaminate subsurface pollutants, harming biodiversity.
The poor recycling rates of existing EV battery technologies provide another difficulty. Car batteries can be returned to some manufacturers to recover important metals; however, some manufacturers throw the batteries into landfills, where they contribute to hazardous stormwater runoff.
Due to the insufficient battery capacity of current electric cars, some buyers are reluctant to invest in the technology. EVs typically have a 234-mile range. People who routinely drive long distances could choose gas-powered vehicles instead.
The good news is that fresh developments may lead to advancements in EV battery technology.
Here are five of them:
- NanoBolt lithium tungsten batteries
Researchers at N1 Technologies, Inc. introduced multi-layered tungsten and carbon nanotubes to battery anode materials, which link to the copper anode substrate and develop a nanostructure resembling a web. More ions can connect to this large surface during recharge and discharge cycles. Because of this, the NanoBolt lithium tungsten battery can be recharged more quickly and hold more energy. For use in any lithium battery design, nanotubes are available and ready to be trimmed to size.
- Zinc-manganese oxide batteries
How exactly does a battery function? A DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory team looked into conventional theories and discovered an unexpected chemical conversion process in a zinc-manganese oxide battery. It is possible to enhance energy density in traditional batteries without raising costs if that process can be managed. For large-scale energy storage to support the country’s electrical system, the zinc-manganese oxide battery becomes a potential replacement for lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries.
- Organosilicon electrolyte batteries
Lithium battery issues include the potential for the electrolyte to catch fire or explode. Professors of chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Robert Hamers and Robert West created liquid solvents based on organosilicon (OS) to create something less dangerous than the carbonate-based solvent system used in Li-ion batteries. The resultant electrolytes may be molecularly tailored for the commercial, industrial, and military Li-ion battery industries.
- Gold nanowire gel electrolyte batteries
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, experimented with gels, which are less flammable than liquids, in their hunt for a better electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries. After coating them with manganese dioxide, they attempted to encapsulate gold nanowires in electrolyte gel. Usually too fragile to be used in batteries, nanowires have improved in durability. When the scientists charged the resultant electrode, they found it could maintain a charge for 200,000 cycles without losing it. In comparison, a typical battery has 6,000 cycles.
- TankTwo String Cell™ batteries
The lengthy recharging procedure for electric vehicles (EVs) prevents their adoption. TankTwo looked at modularizing a battery to reduce hours to minutes. Their String CellTM battery comprises several tiny, autonomous, self-organizing cells. Each string cell is made of a plastic casing coated in a conductive substance that enables it to make connections with other cells quickly and readily. The connections in the electrochemical cell are under the supervision of an internal processing unit. The battery’s tiny balls are sucked out and replaced with recharged cells at the service station to enable rapid charging of an EV. The cells may be recharged at the station during non-peak times.
Benefits of Expanding Battery Life for Electric Vehicles
To save the global ecology, environmental engineers are extending the battery life of electric cars. The transportation industry produces about one-fifth of greenhouse gas emissions, and this air pollution worsens ecosystem stability and speeds up climate change.
Additionally, tailpipe emissions harm people’s health and well-being. Greater risks for lung cancer, asthma, and other respiratory diseases are present in areas with high emissions. Additionally, they are more susceptible to strokes and heart attacks.
Purchasing electric trucks, cars, buses, and other kinds of transportation might positively impact the environment. People may have fewer health problems by switching to electric vehicles instead of gas-powered ones. Additionally, society can protect biodiversity by lowering air pollution.
Minimizing MSW is another advantage of developing the EV sector and battery life. A circular economy, which depends on constantly reusable items to narrow the gap between mining and manufacturing, may be supported by recycling EV batteries and other vehicle parts.
Boosting Electric Car Battery Capacity Pays Off
The main issue with contemporary EVs is the poor rates of battery recycling. To reduce MWS and harmful discharge, environmental engineers are optimizing the recycling of lithium. Those who purchase EVs now may have access to more environmentally friendly end-of-life solutions than current owners.
Drivers may upgrade their sustainability by replacing their lithium-ion batteries with low-impact substitutes, thanks to the EV industry’s swift expansion and innovative sustainable options. Individuals can attain low-emission transportation alternatives by upgrading car components.
