A New Breakthrough in EV Battery Longevity: How UNIST’s Gel Electrolyte Can Nearly Triple Lifespan
When discussing the future of electric vehicles, most people immediately think of driving range. But there is another equally critical factor that shapes both performance and safety: battery lifespan. As batteries age, capacity fades, internal resistance increases, driving range drops, and safety risks begin to rise. In high-voltage lithium-ion batteries, one of the most destructive triggers behind this aging is oxygen-induced degradation at the cathode–electrolyte interface. A research team at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in South Korea has developed an impressive solution to this problem: a semi-solid gel electrolyte capable of “trapping” reactive oxygen species, significantly slowing down degradation. Laboratory results show that this new material can extend high-voltage battery life by up to 2.8 times and reduce cell swelling by nearly six-fold. So, how does it work? The Hidden Enemy in Lithium-Ion Batteries: Oxygen-Induced Aging To achieve hi...