What it does
Only Li batteries reach 500Wh/kg but suffer from dendrites & short lifespan. Our {110}-textured Li foil solves this - keeping high energy density while boosting safety & cycles. Critical for drones/robotics.
Your inspiration
Li metal batteries are the only solution for 500Wh/kg energy density. However, dendrites and poor cycle life hinder commercialization. Our breakthrough {110}-textured Li foil, inspired by metal deformation theory, solves these challenges while maintaining high energy density. Using scalable mechanical texturing and recrystallization annealing, we produce ultra-thin foils that suppress dendrites and enhance cycle life. This industrial-compatible process enables cost-effective mass production. By combining fundamental research with practical engineering, we're enabling safer, longer-lasting Li batteries to power next-gen technologies.
How it works
General Principle: Metal Deformation Theory Metal Deformation Theory: {110} and {100} textured lithium foils were obtained through different mechanical methods. Electrochemical tests confirmed that the {110} textured lithium foil exhibits superior performance during electrochemical cycling. Therefore, based on the current industrial lithium foil production process, a preparation technology for {110} textured lithium foil was designed. Through a two-step process of texture introduction and recrystallization annealing, the production of {110} textured lithium foil was achieved.
Design process
Design 1: The Preparation of {110}-Textured Lithium Foil Main Technical Point 1: Texture Introduction Technology for Pure Lithium Metal Foil Based on metal deformation theory, this technology aims to introduce texture into 30 μm lithium metal foil, with current achievement in 50 μm foil. Main Technical Point 2: Texture Introduction Technology for Lithium Alloy Foil Building on pure lithium foil technology, the introduction of alloying elements significantly alters mechanical properties, requiring tailored adjustments. The goal is to achieve texture control in various lithium alloys, with current success in lithium-zinc and lithium-tin alloy foils. Key Technology 2: Fully Automated Equipment Design Main Technical Point: High-Precision Programmable Control Utilizing mechanical automation, the objective is to automate texture introduction for different lithium foils. Current progress includes 10 μm precision adjustment, with future goals of micron-level control and programmable operation to reduce manual intervention by selecting specific procedures for different foil types.
How it is different
The current pain point of traditional commercial lithium foil lies in the uncontrollable growth pattern of lithium during electrochemical cycling. Coupled with the unstable lithium metal-electrolyte interface, this leads to lithium loss ("dead lithium"), electrolyte depletion, and increased battery polarization, resulting in performance degradation and limited cycle life. Moreover, in the worst-case scenario, this may cause internal short circuits and safety hazards. In contrast, lithium metal electrodes with a {110} texture exhibit outstanding cycling performance, fundamentally suppressing lithium dendrite growth and thereby enhancing the cycle life of lithium-based electrodes. Compared to electrodes with other textures or no texture, they demonstrate superior cycling performance. From an industrial perspective, this technology can be seamlessly integrated into the rolling techniques in commercial lithium foil production, highlighting its cost-effectiveness.
Future plans
The market has already shown demand for lithium foil thinner than 50μm. We have accelerated the development of texture introduction technology for ultra-thin lithium foil while also researching lithium alloy foils to further enhance the performance of textured lithium foil.
Awards
Gold Medal in International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva 2024
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