Researchers in South Korea have developed a new battery design that could help electric vehicles (EVs) travel longer distances on a single charge while reducing battery size and weight. The technology, developed by a team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), removes the need for conventional anode materials such as graphite, which could make batteries more compact and energy-efficient.
However, anode-free batteries have faced a major challenge: lithium tends to build up unevenly inside them, forming tree-like structures known as dendrites. These can damage the battery, affect its performance and shorten its lifespan, making commercial use difficult.
-
Indian Markets Turning Corner After Two Tough Years, Says Sandeep Tandon -
NDTV Profit Ignite 2026: Experts See Opportunity In Equities, Stay Bullish For Long-Term -
Buy Right, Sit Tight Does Not Work for Individual Stocks, Says Dinshaw Irani -
'Worst Is Behind': Quant MF Sees Market Bottom, Flags 'Extreme Euphoria' In Midcaps -
India's Mutual Fund Industry Could Become A $1 Trillion Opportunity, Say Fund Managers -
'Foreign Investors Are Baraatis': Raamdeo Agrawal's Take On LTCG Tax -
Stay Invested Through Market Cycles: Raamdeo Agrawal at NDTV Profit Ignite -
Ramesh Damani Remains Bullish On India For Next 20-30 Years, Sees Bargains Amid Market Weakness -
CAS Came After A Long Consultation Process: SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey AT NDTV PROFIT IGNITE -
Aim To Cut FPI Onboarding Time From Mth To Five Days: SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey AT NDTV PROFI
The research team was led by Professors Jinwoo Lee and Hee-Tae Jung from KAIST's Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, along with researchers from Kyungpook National University and the National NanoFab Center.
Also Read | Layoffs Are Rising In Tech, But These Skills Are Helping People Unlock Better Pay
Semiconductor Technology Offers a Solution
The researchers adapted very precise semiconductor manufacturing techniques to modify the copper foil used as the surface for lithium deposition in anode-free batteries.
Using a process called Secondary Sputtering Lithography (SSL), the team created microscopic, tube-shaped structures on the copper surface. Measuring approximately 300 nanometres in diameter and 150 nanometres in height, these structures increased the surface area for lithium deposition to around four times that of conventional flat copper foil.
ALSO READ: Anthropic Restores Claude Fable 5 Worldwide As US Lifts Export Controls
The modified surface helps distribute lithium more uniformly, reducing the formation of dendrites and improving battery stability.
MXene Coating Improves Battery Stability
To further enhance performance, the researchers applied an approximately 10-nanometre-thick coating of MXene, a two-dimensional material, to the modified copper foil.
The coating acts as a primer, encouraging the formation of a stable protective layer rich in lithium fluoride (LiF) during battery operation. This layer limits unwanted chemical reactions between lithium and the electrolyte while suppressing dendrite growth.
Together, the microscopic structures and protective coating help to reduce the degradation problems that have restricted the lifespan and commercial potential of anode-free batteries.
Breakthrough Could Benefit Electric Vehicles
Professor Jinwoo Lee said the research demonstrated how semiconductor manufacturing techniques could create uniform lithium deposition sites and stable protective layers without changing the bulk electrolyte formulation or adding excess lithium.
The findings could pave the way for high-energy-density anode-free batteries for commercial use, offering the potential for lighter, more compact and longer-lasting energy storage equipment for electric vehicles.
The development could mark an important step towards overcoming the technical limitations of anode-free batteries and advancing next-generation EV battery technology.
ALSO READ: Google Loses EU Top Court Fight Over 4.1 Billion Euros Android Fine
Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
