Forget solid-state batteries – researchers have made a lithium-ion breakthrough that could boost range and drastically lower costs

• Researchers have made a breakthrough in anode-free lithium-ion batteries
• A new gel electrolyte could solve one of the technology's biggest problems
• This could unlock improved longevity and safety for the lithium-ion EV cells

Researchers at the Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science claim to have developed a new gel electrolyte that will help stabilize anode-free lithium-ion batteries. This should improve the safety and longevity of this emerging battery technology, while presenting a cost-saving to manufacturers.

Anode-free lithium-ion batteries have been explored for a number of years, with a South Korean research team using an anode-free lithium metal battery architecture last year to double the volumetric density of a battery, without increasing its size.

Eliminating the anode frees up more internal space, allowing an increased amount of active material to be packed into the same volume. This is like managing to squeeze more fuel into ...