Research from Pennsylvania State University has demonstrated a high-density electric vehicle battery that can be charged in around 10 minutes to offer a range between 200 and 300 miles.

An engineering team led by Chao-Yang Wang has been responsibile for several recent breakthroughs in lithium ion battery performance. Back in 2016, the Penn State University team looked at the issue of cold-climate performance for lithium ion battery charging by integrating a self-regulating temperature mechanism using a rapidly warming nickel foil. In 2019, the same technology was leveraged to deal with high-temperature charging degradation by delivering faster charging times with rapid cooling.

The team's most recent breakthrough again utilises the nickel-foil heating element to accomodate faster charging times. The latest battery prototype features an energy density of 265 Wh/kg, which could open up new possibilities in future electric vehicle design. Fast charging technologies will enable a downsizing in electric vehicle battery pack size while avoiding drivers from feeling range anxiety, which in turn will minimise battery costs and materials requirements. The team are looking to commercialize the technology through a spinoff company EC Power.

Thermally modulated cell technology is just one of many approaches looking to reduce battery pack size by increasing energy density along with faster charge time cycles. Proven technological breakthroughs are set to provide a large part of the future solution for the current critical battery materials shortages that threaten to limit the continued future growth in global EV adoption.