[RavenAvi]

A research team at the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) have come up with a novel invention which could revolutionise the next generation of EVs - the "graphene ball".

Graphene, which is actually a single layer compound of carbon atoms from graphite, is mass synthesised into a 3D form similar to popcorn using affordable silica (SiO2). This so-called ‘graphene ball’ was then utilised for both the anode protective layer and cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries, which ensured an increase of charging capacity, decrease of charging time as well as stable temperatures.

This happened mainly because graphene is 100 times more effective than copper in conducting electricity and displays remarkable electron mobility – 140 times faster than silicon – making it an ideal material for fast charging.

Simply put, this unique battery material enables five times faster charging speeds along with a 45 percent increase in battery capacity.

Lithium-ion batteries, which were first commercialised in 1991, are currently used widely in mobile devices and the EV market. However, with standard lithium batteries requiring charging times of at least an hour to fully charge, even with quick charging technology, and considered to have reached their limit for capacity expansion.
In theory, a battery based on the ‘graphene ball’ material requires only 12 minutes to fully charge. Additionally, the battery can maintain a highly stable 60deg Celsius temperature, with stable battery temperatures particularly key for electric vehicles.
Dr. Son In-hyuk, who led the project on behalf of SAIT, said, “Our research enables mass synthesis of multifunctional composite material graphene at an affordable price. At the same time, we were able to considerably enhance the capabilities of lithium-ion batteries in an environment where the markets for mobile devices and electric vehicles is growing rapidly. Our commitment is to continuously explore and develop secondary battery technology in light of these trends.”
SAIT has filed two applications for the ‘graphene ball’ technology patent in the US and Korea. Samsung claims that the breakthrough promise will help the next- generation secondary battery market, especially related electric vehicles and mobile devices.

Autocar Professional

Related read - Nature.com

[Cool_leo_guy]

This may prove to be a godsend to EV manufacturers. If this technology is really that good then we may see the EV revolution happening sooner rather than later.
12 mins charging time and 45% more capacity.
This translates into a range increase to 290 kms in a vehicle which has a current range of 200 kms (Tata's rumoured Tigor/Tiago based EV). Suddenly EVs started looking practical and promising.

[Rehaan]

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

A research team at the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) have come up with a novel invention which could revolutionise the next generation of EVs

There's a new (possible) revolution in battery technology discovered every few months.

All of them sound amazing and revolutionary the way they are reported.

However, the reality is that most of these articles are based on small-scale lab tests, and leave out tons of details like ability to manufacture, cost, availability of resources required, etc.

There's no doubt that battery tech is gonna be the EV 2.0 jump (the same way as Li-Ion took everything from MP3 players to SmartPhones to the next level).

However, I always take these articles with a pinch of NaCl.

[srishiva]

I guess the thread title is wrong. Its an enhancement to the Li-Ion batteries.

Samsung would use this in their mobiles first before cars or anything I think and that would be a welcome move.

[Kannan]

I know this post is almost two years old, but recently I came across the below video explaining a major breakthrough in Graphene based batteries now introduced into the market by a company called "Real Graphene USA".

You can check out the product here.

In the Graphene USA site, they show a 10,000mAh battery get's charged in 50 minutes using a 60W charger, where as an equivalent Anker gets upto 25% in the same time using a 18W charger.

Why 60W vs 18W, seems like the Graphene battery can take more charging current compared to the normal battery.

In the same video he also explains how Samsung's Graphene battery can have more energy density for the same size.

I guess in some few years these technologies should help boost the EV adoption.

In India, if the discovered deposit of Lithium and the above Graphene technologies are combined, there can be a real revolution in the automotive industry.

For the video check out the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnE1nO6o-do