MU researchers receive $500,000 grant to research future of batteries | Higher Education

Researchers at MU have received a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate the current limitations of lithium-ion batteries. MU grant recipients Matthias J. Young and Xiaoqing He plan to use the funds to identify chemical reactions taking place between materials in solid lithium-ion batteries. These chemical reactions currently result in battery failure, Young said.“If you were able to build (solid-state lithium-ion batteries) now, you’d have significantly less flammable and higher-energy batteries,” Young said. “We’re trying to figure out what the source of the problem is before anyone can address it.” Liquid lithium-ion batteries currently power most electric cars, cellphones, toys, headphones, electric…

Read more…