(ORNL: Oak Ridge, TN) -- Strengthening the competitiveness of the American transportation industry relies on developing domestically produced electric vehicle batteries that enable rapid charging and long-range performance. However, the energy density needed to extend driving distance can come at the expense of charging rates and battery life.

By integrating a new type of current collector, which is a key battery component, researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have demonstrated how to manufacture a battery with both superior energy density and a lasting ability to handle extreme fast charging. This enables restoring at least 80% of battery energy in 10 minutes. By using less metal, particularly high-demand copper, the technology also relieves strain on U.S. supply chains.

“This provides a significant savings on near-critical materials, because much less copper and aluminum are needed,” says lead researcher Georgios Polyzos. “At the same time, this will greatly enhance the energy density achievable with a 10-minute charge.”

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