Winter weather poses a major challenge to power systems and electric vehicles, but scientists at the University of Texas have developed an electric battery that works efficiently in temperatures as low as -50 degrees Celsius.
This development was led by Professor Judy Lutkenhaus of the University of Texas. It is worth noting that the efficiency of electric batteries decreases in cold weather due to the freezing of the liquid electrolyte.
The professor said: "For example, during the record cold wave that Chicago experienced in 2024, electric car batteries were unable to charge. In contrast, our new battery uses an electrolyte that does not freeze, in addition to active polymers instead of solid inorganic materials, which improves electrical conductivity."
During testing, the battery maintained 85% of its capacity at 0°C and 55% at -40°C. While battery operation typically relies on the movement of ions through the electrolyte, a process that slows down with decreasing temperatures, the new formulation effectively addresses this issue.
The researchers also enhanced the battery's mechanical durability by using carbon fibers instead of metal current collectors, which helped reduce weight and increase reliability.
This development promises to improve the performance of a wide range of devices and equipment, from portable electronics to critical infrastructure facilities.
In the event of severe hurricanes or sudden cold waves, power grids may be disrupted, but new batteries are capable of compensating for these outages. In this context, Professor Lütkenhaus emphasized: "If we want to create an energy system that is resilient in all weather conditions, we need energy storage methods that are unaffected by temperature fluctuations."
