SEOUL – A collaborative research initiative between the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and LG Energy Solution has yielded a significant breakthrough in electric vehicle (EV) battery technology, poised to reshape the landscape of automotive electrification. The joint team announced the development of a new lithium-metal battery capable of powering an EV for an impressive 800 km (497 miles) on a single charge, coupled with a rapid recharge time of just 12 minutes.

This innovation directly addresses the persistent challenge of dendrite formation in lithium-metal batteries, a critical safety and performance impediment that has long hindered their commercial viability. Professor Hee Tak Kim from KAIST stated in a press release that this research has "overcome the biggest barrier to the introduction of lithium-metal batteries for electric vehicles." The enhanced range is expected to substantially mitigate range anxiety among drivers, facilitating broader adoption of EVs for long-distance travel.

Crucially, the new battery technology also boasts an extended lifespan, projected to exceed 300,000 km (186,411 miles), ensuring long-term reliability and reducing total cost of ownership. The core of this advancement lies in the creation of a "cohesion-inhibiting new liquid electrolyte" specifically engineered for lithium-metal batteries. While lithium-metal batteries offer significantly higher energy density compared to conventional lithium-ion cells by replacing the graphite anode with lithium metal, they have been plagued by the growth of sharp, tree-like lithium crystals, or dendrites, on the anode during charging. These dendrites degrade battery performance and pose a risk of internal short-circuits, particularly under fast-charging conditions.

The research team discovered that dendrite formation stems from non-uniform cohesion on the lithium metal's surface during charging. Their novel electrolyte counters this by utilizing an anion structure with a weak binding affinity to lithium ions (Li+). This mechanism minimizes interface non-uniformity, ensuring a smooth and even deposition of lithium across the anode, thereby effectively suppressing dendrite growth even during rapid charging.

This technological leap resolves the critical trade-off between energy density and charging speed that has constrained previous lithium-metal battery designs, enabling stable operation and extended driving range without compromising the convenience of quick recharging. Je-Young Kim, CTO of LG Energy Solution, underscored the success of the industry-academia partnership, noting, "The four years of collaboration between LG Energy Solution and KAIST through FRL are producing meaningful results. We will continue to strengthen our collaboration to solve technical challenges and create the best results in the field of next-generation batteries."