LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Researchers from Michigan State University have developed a wood-based material that can be used inside lithium-ion batteries to prevent potentially dangerous short circuits.
Michigan State University reports that Chengcheng Fang, an assistant professor in the College of Engineering, and Mojgan Nejad, an associate professor in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, worked together to engineer lignin, a natural ingredient of wood that provides support and rigidity, into a thin film separator.
The lignin film inside the battery prevents it from short-circuiting. It also increases the stability within, resulting in an improved cycle life, or the number of times the battery can be charged and used.
“We wanted to build a better battery,” said Fang. “But we also wanted it to be safe, efficient and sustainable,” said in a news release sent to 6 News…