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The historical partnership that revolutionized battery research at Argonne

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory are working on a new generation of lithium-ion battery materials, including manganese-rich compounds and spinel-type structures. These materials have the potential to improve energy density, safety, and cost-effectiveness, enabling widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateAug 18, 2020
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Story tips: Predicting fire risk, solid state stability check and images in a flash

Researchers developed a machine learning approach to predict seasonal fire risk in Africa, using data on ocean temperatures and land surface changes. Additionally, scientists found that charge loss in lithium-ion batteries is related to the inherent structural instability of the cathode's crystalline structure. A new microscope tool pr...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 6, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

SUTD-led research powers longer lasting rechargeable batteries

Researchers from SUTD have developed a new material that increases the lifespan of rechargeable batteries using sodium ion technology. The breakthrough addresses the global shortage of lithium resources and enhances energy density, enabling more efficient power supplies for electronic products.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalChem·DateJun 2, 2020

Researchers develop viable sodium battery

Scientists have created a sodium-ion battery that can deliver high energy capacity and recharge successfully, keeping over 80% of its charge after 1,000 cycles. This breakthrough has the potential to replace rare and expensive lithium-ion batteries with more abundant and affordable materials.

SourceWashington State University·JournalACS Energy Letters·DateJun 1, 2020

Russian scientists to improve the battery for sensors

Researchers at Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University created a solid-state thin-film battery with high specific energy density, suitable for miniature devices like biosensors and smartwatches. The new technology uses Atomic Layer Deposition to produce lithium nickelate cathodes, improving performance and efficiency.

SourcePeter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University·JournalEnergies·DateJun 1, 2020

Computer vision helps SLAC scientists study lithium ion batteries

Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory used computer vision and X-ray tomography data to understand how nickel-manganese-cobalt cathodes degrade over time. They found that particles detaching from the carbon matrix contribute significantly to battery decline, contradicting previous assumptions about making smaller particle...

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 8, 2020
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Skoltech scientists developed a new cathode material for metal-ion batteries

Researchers created a commercially attractive advanced cathode material based on titanium fluoride phosphate, exhibiting high electrochemical potential and unprecedented stability at high charge/discharge rates. The discovery opens up new opportunities for practical applications of titanium-containing cathode materials.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 23, 2020

Researchers show advance in next-generation lithium metal batteries

A WSU research team has developed a unique protective layer around lithium anode, protecting batteries from degradation and allowing them to work longer under typical conditions. The innovation could make high-energy batteries more viable for next-generation energy storage.

SourceWashington State University·JournalNano Energy·DateFeb 18, 2020
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Cathode 'defects' improve battery performance

A new study reveals that controlling structural defects in cathode materials can enhance battery performance by allowing lithium ions and electrons to move in three dimensions across layers. High-precision powder diffraction analyses achieved unprecedented accuracy in measuring defect concentrations.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateFeb 5, 2020

Energy storage startup SPARKZ licenses ORNL cobalt-free battery tech

SPARKZ Inc. exclusively licensed five battery technologies from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, eliminating cobalt metal in lithium-ion batteries for more sustainable, fast-charging batteries. The partnership aims to accelerate electric vehicle production and grid energy storage solutions.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·DateFeb 5, 2020
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

New electrode design may lead to more powerful batteries

Researchers at MIT have devised a lithium metal anode that could improve battery performance by reducing stress on the solid electrolyte layer. The new design utilizes a three-dimensional nanoarchitecture, allowing the lithium to flow like a liquid while maintaining its solid structure.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateFeb 3, 2020

Less may be more in next-gen batteries

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a mechanism that protects cathodes from degrading in lithium-ion batteries by applying a thin layer of alumina, which also accelerates charging speed. This breakthrough could lead to more stable and efficient batteries for electric cars and grid storage.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Energy Materials·DateJan 21, 2020

Not so fast: Some batteries can be pushed too far

Researchers found that intentionally adding defects to lithium-ion batteries can cause stress, leading to cracks and degradation. The study suggests a sweet spot for defect levels to optimize performance, contradicting previous findings.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateJan 14, 2020
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Detours may make batteries better

Scientists at Rice University have discovered that placing specific defects in the crystalline lattice of lithium iron phosphate-based cathodes can broaden the avenues through which lithium ions travel. This could improve performance by up to two orders of magnitude and potentially lead to similar improvements in other types of batteries.

SourceRice University·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateDec 9, 2019

Stabilizing sulfur cathode by single Li-ion channel polymer binder

Scientists have developed a novel polymer binder with single lithium-ion channels that effectively immobilizes polysulfide intermediates, maintaining the structure integrity of sulfide cathodes. The binder improves Li-S battery performance by increasing energy density and capacity retention.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateNov 22, 2019
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Post-lithium technology

Researchers have developed a high-performance cathode made of an organic polymer for sodium-ion batteries, achieving excellent electrochemical performances. The new material outperforms current polymeric and inorganic cathodes in capacity delivery and retention.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 4, 2019

Shedding new light on the charging of lithium-ion batteries

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new mechanism to speed up lithium-ion battery charging using concentrated light. By exposing the cathode to white light, the charging time is reduced by a factor of two without degrading battery performance.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 31, 2019
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

A new concept could make more environmentally friendly batteries possible

A new concept for an aluminum battery has twice the energy density of previous versions and is made of abundant materials, potentially leading to reduced production costs and environmental impact. The idea could be used in large-scale applications such as solar and wind energy storage.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalEnergy Storage Materials·DateSep 30, 2019

Battery with a twist

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a flexible thin-film battery that can be bent, stretched and twisted without disrupting power supply. The new battery features a water-based gel electrolyte that is environmentally friendly and non-toxic.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateSep 24, 2019

New lithium battery design could mean lighter, safer batteries for Soldiers

Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a new cathode and electrolyte system using transition metal fluorides and solid polymer electrolytes, showing remarkable stability and potential for safer, lighter lithium-ion batteries. The new design has more than double the lithium capacity of traditional cobalt- or nickel-based cathodes.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 18, 2019

Stretchy plastic electrolytes could enable new lithium-ion battery design

Researchers at Georgia Tech develop stretchy plastic electrolytes that enable new lithium-ion battery designs with less reliance on scarce metals. The new cathode and electrolyte system shows remarkable stability even at high temperatures, promising safer, lighter, and cheaper batteries.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 9, 2019
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Electric car research boosted by cobalt-free battery

Researchers at UT Austin aim to develop a lithium-ion battery that requires no cobalt while maintaining high energy density. A $3 million collaborative project funded by the US Department of Energy seeks to demonstrate low-cobalt battery technology in large cells and create a cobalt-free battery.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·DateJul 30, 2019

Ultrafast metal-ion batteries based on new organic cathode material have been developed

Researchers have designed a new polymer cathode material for ultrafast metal-ion batteries with superior characteristics, offering high energy density and impressive charge/discharge rate capability. The material successfully demonstrated excellent performance while charged and discharged at high current rates.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateJun 3, 2019

Scientists design organic cathode for high performance batteries

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have designed an organic cathode material with sulfur for lithium batteries, achieving higher energy density, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. The new material overcomes challenges associated with sulfur batteries by stabilizing it through an organic backbone.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateMay 30, 2019

New Argonne coating could have big implications for lithium batteries

Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new cathode coating that provides extra layer of protection for battery cathodes while maintaining electrical and ionical conductivity. The coating also prevents oxygen release and promotes structural stability, leading to potential energy output increases and longer lifetimes.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Energy·DateMay 14, 2019
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

A step for a promising new battery to store clean energy

A team from Ohio State University has built a more efficient and reliable potassium-oxygen battery that can store excess energy from renewable sources. The battery can be charged at least 125 times, making it a potential solution for long-lasting energy storage in the power grid and cell phones.

SourceOhio State University·JournalBatteries & Supercaps·DateMay 13, 2019

Army discovery opens path to safer batteries

Researchers have identified a new cathode chemistry that increases the energy density of lithium-ion batteries while maintaining improved safety. The discovery, which utilizes an aqueous electrolyte, has the potential to significantly increase the energy capacity of batteries without increasing weight or risk of fire.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalNature·DateMay 10, 2019

Researchers report high performance solid-state sodium-ion battery

The organic cathode offers more reliable contact with the electrolyte, extending cycle life and allowing for higher energy density. The flexibility of the organic cathode maintains intimate contact at the interface even as the cathode expands and contracts during cycling.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJoule·DateApr 19, 2019
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Fuel cell advance a breath of fresh air for future power alternative

Engineers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have revealed new insights about the chemical reactions that power fuel cells, shedding light on their degradation issues. The study found that the rate-limiting step in fuel cell efficiency is not oxygen splitting, but rather how oxygen atoms find and enter vacancies at the surface.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 9, 2019

New approach could boost energy capacity of lithium batteries

Researchers at MIT developed a new 'hybrid' cathode combining two approaches to increase energy output per pound and liter, resulting in higher power density. The new material can already beat existing batteries in terms of energy density, paving the way for longer-range electric cars and portable electronics.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Energy·DateMar 28, 2019

Cause of cathode degradation identified for nickel-rich materials

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have identified the causes of capacity fading in nickel-rich layered materials, which could lead to improved battery performance for electric vehicles. The team used multiple research techniques, including synchrotron light sources and machine learning, to pinpoint the problem and provide p...

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMar 15, 2019

Review of the recent advances of 2D nanomaterials in Lit-ion batteries

Researchers summarize recent advances in 2D nanomaterials for electrodes in lithium-ion batteries, showcasing their high electrochemical and mechanical properties. The review highlights the potential of 2D nanomaterials as anodes and cathodes, with applications in high-performance energy storage devices.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalNANO·DateMar 14, 2019
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Lean electrolyte design is a game-changer for magnesium batteries

Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a high-energy magnesium battery with up to 243 watt hours per kilogram, outperforming earlier models. The new design uses a chloride-free electrolyte and organic cathode, enabling stable performance and high energy storage capacity.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJoule·DateDec 21, 2018

A stabilizing influence enables lithium-sulfur battery evolution

Researchers at Drexel University have developed a stable cathode material that can hold polysulfides in place, maintaining energy density while reducing weight and production time. The new approach uses titanium monoxide nanofibers to immobilize polysulfides, enabling Li-S batteries to achieve superior performance through hundreds of c...

SourceDrexel University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateOct 16, 2018

Building a better battery layer by layer

Researchers at Shinshu University developed a self-assembled monolayer coating that promotes efficient transportation within electrodes, suppressing side reactions in high-voltage lithium-ion batteries. The coating improved power density and cyclability, allowing the battery to maintain capacity even after 100 cycles.

SourceShinshu University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 12, 2018
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Cathode fabrication for oxide solid-state batteries at room temperature

Lithium trivanadate cathode thick films were successfully fabricated on garnet-type oxide solid electrolytes using aerosol deposition method. The resulting cells showed high reversible charge and discharge capacities, cycling stability, and safety, making LVO a promising candidate for high-capacity oxide-based solid-state batteries

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalMaterials·DateSep 2, 2018

Lithium-oxygen battery technology charges ahead

Researchers have developed a way to increase operating temperature and use alternative materials to overcome thermodynamic barriers in lithium-oxygen batteries. The resulting cell achieves nearly 100% coulombic efficiency, a significant step towards commercial adoption.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 23, 2018

Improved understanding of industrial electrode processes

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum gained new insight into the processes involving oxygen-depolarised cathodes, which consume less current than conventional systems. They found that reaction conditions change constantly during chlorine production and are not uniform throughout the electrode surface.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 22, 2018

What's causing the voltage fade in Lithium-rich NMC cathode materials?

Scientists identified nanoscale defects as the cause of voltage fade in Lithium-rich NMC cathode materials. By combining experimental and theoretical approaches, researchers showed that heat treating the materials eliminated most defects, restoring original voltage.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Energy·DateJul 16, 2018
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Tripling the energy storage of lithium-ion batteries

Scientists have synthesized a new cathode material from iron fluoride that surpasses the capacity limits of traditional lithium-ion batteries. By manipulating the reaction pathway through chemical substitution, researchers were able to make the material more reversible, increasing its energy density by tripling it.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 14, 2018

Better, faster, stronger: Building batteries that don't go boom

Michigan Tech researchers explore lithium's mechanical properties to improve battery storage capacity and safety. Their findings highlight the importance of lithium's orientation-dependent elastic properties in controlling battery performance.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalJournal of Materials Research·DateMay 29, 2018
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.