Self-healing EV batteries designed to double lifespan, enhance range

Scientists involved in the EU-funded PHOENIX project are developing self-healing batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) that can diagnose internal damage and initiate repairs, potentially doubling battery lifespan and enhancing performance. This innovation aims to address battery degradation, a major limitation for EV longevity and adoption, while also reducing the carbon footprint associated with battery production. The PHOENIX system integrates advanced internal sensors that go beyond traditional Battery Management Systems by detecting physical swelling, generating heat maps, and identifying specific gases to provide early warnings of damage. When damage is detected, the system can activate repair mechanisms such as applying targeted heat to reform chemical bonds or using magnetic fields to break down harmful metallic dendrites that cause short circuits. The project has recently progressed to testing sensor and trigger prototypes on battery pouch cells. Additionally, the research explores incorporating silicon in battery anodes to increase energy density, which, combined with self-healing technology, could enable lighter EVs with longer ranges. While the sensors increase production costs, efforts