The experiment, conducted by the three astronauts aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft, aimed to uncover the mechanisms behind battery performance by exploiting the unique conditions of outer space.
Lithium-ion batteries are essential for modern space missions due to their high energy density and reliability. However, their internal behavior, particularly how chemicals are distributed within the electrolyte, which significantly impacts power output and battery life, is difficult to fully understand under Earth-based conditions, the institute explained.
"The fundamental challenge on Earth lies in gravity," the institute said. "Gravity is always closely linked to electric fields, making it difficult to isolate the effect of gravity on the internal processes of a battery."
In contrast, the microgravity environment on the space station provides ideal conditions for observing these processes without any gravitational interference.
The Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics emphasized that the findings obtained from the research in the microgravity environment are expected to overcome the current limitations in understanding the mutual interaction between gravitational and electric fields.
The findings will help improve existing battery systems in orbit and support the design of a new generation of safer, higher-energy-density batteries for future space exploration, the institute added.
