Overview
- Researchers at Nankai University report cells exceeding 700 Wh/kg at room temperature and nearly 400 Wh/kg at −50°C.
- The design replaces the typical lithium‑oxygen solvent model with a fluorinated hydrocarbon that dissolves lithium salts efficiently and reduces electrolyte volume.
- The lithium‑fluoride system is described as enabling rapid charge transfer and reliable performance in extreme cold, addressing a key limitation of current batteries.
- Lead author Chen Jun says EVs rated around 500 km today could surpass 1,000 km per charge using this chemistry, contingent on further development.
- The team positions the result near solid‑state energy‑density levels as conventional lithium cells approach a ~350 Wh/kg ceiling, though replication, safety testing and scale‑up remain open steps.