A New Battery-Charging Method Suggested by Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Novotny, M.A. (2010). A New Battery-Charging Method Suggested by Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. 12(11), 2740-2743.

Abstract

Based on large-scale molecular dynamics simulations, we propose a new charging method that should be capable of charging a lithium-ion battery in a fraction of the time needed when using traditional methods. This charging method uses an additional applied oscillatory electric field. Our simulation results show that this charging method offers a great reduction in the average intercalation time for Li+ ions, which dominates the charging time. The oscillating field not only increases the diffusion rate of Li+ ions in the electrolyte but, more importantly, also enhances intercalation by lowering the corresponding overall energy barrier.