China developed world's first lithium battery tech to extend lifespan by decades

A team of Chinese researchers has made a groundbreaking breakthrough to revive aging lithium batteries by injecting a "shot" of lithium ions, potentially extending their lifespan from the typical 6-8 years or 1,000-1,500 charge cycles to an unprecedented 10,000 cycles or more, which marked a world-first of such battery technology.

The breakthrough, led by researchers Peng Huisheng and Gao Yue from Fudan University, involves injecting a specially designed molecule into degraded batteries to replenish lost lithium ions.

The team said they have conducted validation experiments on "real battery devices" rather than theoretical models. They are now working on scaling up production of the lithium-ion carrier molecule and are partnering with leading global battery manufacturers to commercialize the technology.

If successfully deployed, this innovation could significantly impact industries that are reliant on lithium batteries, from consumer electronics to electric vehicles, by reducing waste, cutting costs, and improving sustainability, industry experts said.

The findings were published on February 13 in Nature under the title "External Li supply reshapes Li-deficiency and lifetime limit of batteries."