Electric aircraft batteries may seem like an unlikely area for applying biological research methods, but it turns out that the field of omics could play a pivotal role in enabling carbon-free air travel.
These techniques, which have revolutionized the way scientists understand the human genome, could help us understand why electric plane batteries degrade over time.
In a recent study, a team of experienced researchers from Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab)THE University of California, BerkeleyAnd University of Michigan collaborated with industrial partners ABA and 24M.
Experts applied omics techniques to unpack the complex interactions within the anode, cathode and electrolyte of electric aircraft batteries.
In an innovative move, the researchers discovered that specific salts, when added to the battery electrolyte, could form a protective coating on the cathode particles.
This fundamental discovery not only preserves the cathode from corrosion but also significantly improves the battery life.
A promising step towards carbon-free aviation
The scientists’ innovative work involves designing and testing an electric aircraft battery using their new electrolyte solution.
Impressively, this battery demonstrated a four-fold performance increase over conventional batteries to maintain the power-to-energy ratio required for electric aircraft flight.
In the future, the team will focus on producing enough batteries, with a total capacity of around 100 kWh, for a test flight planned for 2025.
As corresponding author of the study and a senior scientist at Berkeley Lab’s Molecular Foundry, Brett Helms underscores the importance of their work.
“Our work redefines what is possible, pushing the boundaries of battery technology to enable deeper decarbonization,” Helms said.
The challenges of developing electric aircraft batteries
The transition from traditional vehicles to electric aircraft batteries is no small feat, as the latter require high power for takeoff and landing and high energy density for extended flight.
Youngmin Ko, a postdoctoral researcher at Berkeley Lab’s Molecular Foundry, paints a clear picture, indicating that it is the loss of power that is critical for aircraft.
This is where the omics approach has found its place, decoding patterns from changes in chemical signatures in complex systems to understand and respond to power decline.
Revealing the culprit behind the loss of power
Focusing on lithium metal batteries decorated with high-voltage, high-density layered oxides containing nickel, manganese and cobalt, the team made a surprising discovery.
Contrary to the conventional wisdom that power loss is due to the anode, experts have discovered that it comes mainly from the cathode side. Over time, the cathode particles crack and corrode, reducing the battery’s efficiency.
A “lightbulb moment” occurred when the team discovered that particular electrolytes could control the rate of corrosion at the cathode interface, leading to the creation of a new, energy-conserving electrolyte solution.
Batteries for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL)
By testing their new electrolyte solution in a high-capacity battery, the team saw significant energy retention, signaling a positive future for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL).
The team is now focusing on producing the batteries for a test flight planned for 2025 in a prototype aircraft manufactured by their partners.
In the longer term, they plan to expand the use of omics in battery research to tailor battery performance for various uses in transportation and the grid.
The emergence of electric aircraft in modern aviation
Electric aircraft represent a promising step forward in the quest for sustainable aviation. Unlike their fossil fuel-powered counterparts, electric aircraft contribute significantly less to carbon emissions, offering a greener alternative for the future of air travel.
These aircraft use electric propulsion systems, which not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also minimise noise pollution, making air travel more environmentally and socially acceptable.
The development of advanced battery technologies, such as those being studied by the Berkeley Lab team, is a key part of this transformation. These batteries must provide high energy density and power output while ensuring safety and reliability in a variety of flight conditions.
Future directions and innovative designs
Around the world, companies and researchers are exploring innovative concepts such as distributed electric propulsion, in which multiple small motors work in tandem to optimize performance and efficiency. This innovative approach improves the aerodynamics and fuel efficiency of aircraft, contributing to overall sustainability.
Additionally, regulators and aviation organizations are increasingly approving electric aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) are working on certification frameworks for electric aircraft, ensuring that safety standards keep pace with technological advances.
These efforts are essential to integrate electric aircraft into the commercial aviation sector and build public confidence in this new mode of air transportation.
The study is published in the journal Joule.
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