Korea Energy Institute and DGIST advance fast-charging and charge-free battery tech
Korea Institute of Energy Technology developed a tube-type battery with a central cooling channel, enabling it to charge from 5% to 95% in just 9.6 minutes.
The development of advanced battery technologies is crucial as the demand for faster charging and longer-lasting power sources grows. Researchers are focusing on improving heat dissipation during fast charging and understanding performance loss mechanisms to enhance battery longevity. Additionally, innovations are underway to create batteries that can operate without external charging.
Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH) has introduced a tube-type battery with an integrated cooling channel, addressing heat management challenges in larger cylindrical cells. This design allows coolant to flow through the central space of the cell, effectively dissipating heat from within. When tested, a 46 mm-diameter cell charged under 6C conditions reached a maximum temperature of 44.5°C, significantly lower than conventional cells. This battery achieved a 91.5% capacity retention after 500 fast-charging cycles, outperforming existing models.
The National Research Foundation of Korea has highlighted the importance of lithium-ion movement in battery degradation. Research led by Professor Kim Min-gyu at Inha University found that imbalances in the state of charge among particles in a lithium-ion battery electrode can lead to degradation. By mixing cathode particles of different sizes, the team observed that lithium ions continued to move post-charging, causing internal currents and structural changes that hinder performance.
In a different approach, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) has advanced betavoltaic battery technology. These batteries convert energy from radioactive isotopes into electricity, eliminating the need for external charging. Using carbon-14 nanoparticles and perovskite, the team achieved an energy conversion efficiency of 10.79%, a significant improvement over previous records. This technology shows promise for applications where battery replacement is challenging, such as in medical devices and space exploration.
While betavoltaic batteries are not yet suitable for replacing lithium-ion batteries in common devices, the diverse research directions in battery technology—from faster charging to eliminating charging—are gradually reducing everyday charging challenges.
Source: Graphene Feed