The secret to boosting longevity of lithium-ion batteries is crushed silicon powder, according to research from Rice University. Experts have long sought to incorporate silicon into rechargeable batteries — anodes made of silicon can hold up to 10 times the number of lithium ions held in traditional, graphite-based anodes. But when used this way, silicon expands during the charging process only to shrink once unplugged; these frequent shifts in size ultimately cause it to quickly break down.
That presents a problem when the goal is to build long-lasting batteries like those found in electric vehicles. Experts at Rice had previously attempted to solve this by stamping pores into silicon film, allowing more room for that growth in...
via The Verge - All Posts http://www.theverge.com/2012/11/1/3585748/crushed-silicon-powder-battery-rice-university
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