Ligand-channel-enabled ultrafast Li-ion conduction. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38418886/)

These scientists were working on making batteries for electric cars and airplanes better. They wanted to make the batteries hold more energy, charge faster, and work in different temperatures. They found that the liquids inside the batteries, called electrolytes, need to be a certain way to make the batteries work well.

To do this, they used very small liquids that don't hold onto the battery's parts too tightly. This helps the electricity move faster inside the battery. They also found that these small liquids let another part of the battery form a special protective layer. This layer helps the battery last longer.

They tested their idea using a liquid called fluoroacetonitrile in the battery. They found that it made the battery work really well, even in very cold temperatures. This means that the batteries can now hold more energy, charge quickly, and work in different temperatures, which is very important for making better batteries for cars and airplanes.

Overall, this discovery can help make batteries for many different things, not just cars and airplanes, work even better in the future.

Lu D., Li R., Rahman MM., Yu P., Lv L., Yang S., Huang Y., Sun C., Zhang S., Zhang H., Zhang J., Xiao X., Deng T., Fan L., Chen L., Wang J., Hu E., Wang C., Fan X. Ligand-channel-enabled ultrafast Li-ion conduction. Nature. 2024 Feb 28. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07045-4.