China - February 27, 2025 Chinese researchers develop 'injection' to make lithium-ion batteries last longer (Voice_over) It's like botox for your EV's lithium-ion battery! A group of researchers from Fudan University in Shanghai say they've found a way to make lithium-ion batteries last up to six times longer that involves injecting it with more lithium. Most lithium-ion batteries start to degrade over time due to the loss of lithium ions, with some electric vehicle batteries having a lifespan of about 1,500 charge cycles. After four years of research, the team discovered that by injecting another type of Lithium molecule directly into a spent battery, it lengthens the lifespan significantly. One of the researchers explained that for an EV that's charged twice a day, typical lithium-ion batteries usually lose about 30 percent of their performance after about three years. Batteries injected with the lithium carrier molecules, though, lost only four percent of their performance after a whopping 11,818 cycles, or what would be equivalent to about 18 years. (Sound_bite) Gao Yue, member, research team, department of macromolecular science, Fudan University: "Our solution can achieve 'precise treatment', so that a battery can be restored to its original state after being used. This is a commercial lithium iron phosphate battery. Typically, it would degrade and give out after being recharged and reused 2,000 times. With this method, it can be recharged and reused 12,000 times and still maintain a healthy state close to when users first got the battery." (Voice_over) Gao said the molecule injections have multiple advantages. (Sound_bite) Gao Yue, member, research team, department of macromolecular science, Fudan University: "This molecule is not only very effective in repairing (commercial) batteries, but also very low in cost. It can also help develop new green batteries." (Voice_over) Researchers have used the method to restore lost capacity of multiple types of batteries, and are cooperating with top international battery manufacturers to apply the solution to real-life use cases. [Restriction: No access Chinese mainland]