Martins examines how lithium-ion batteries and materials perform under extreme conditions to improve their safety, stability, and lifetime.
“It is only natural to want longer-lasting batteries in the devices we use every day. My goal is to contribute to a future where improved battery performance does not come at the expense of safety.”
If you’ve ever wondered how a new battery can come with a 10-year warranty, even if the product has not existed that long, your thoughts are valid. Imagine buying an electric vehicle today and the manufacturer guarantees that the battery pack will still hold most of its capacity after eight years. It is a remarkable […]
In my last post, I described the dangers of charging a freezing cold lithium-ion battery and promised to review the regulations meant to protect us from such hazards. So, let’s do that. While science can explain how an e-bike battery can ignite in an apartment, policies should explain how we ensure it never does. In […]
For Canadians who spend long periods outdoors, winter battery problems are almost inevitable. Phones die faster when used in extremely cold conditions. The range on electric vehicles drops noticeably during sub-zero temperatures. E-bikes and e-scooters charge slowly after being left outside during a cold night. These are some of the issues associated with cold-weather operation […]
Most people notice the batteries in their devices subtly aging. A phone that once lasted a whole day now struggles to survive until evening. A laptop that once powered through a long workday now requires a charger by noon. These small inconveniences raise the question: are we truly designing batteries to last? Battery lifetime is often discussed from the perspective of convenience, yet its implications extend far beyond that. Shorter battery lifetimes contribute to broader concerns surrounding sustainability, landfill accumulation, resource consumption and the financial cost of replacing devices and batteries. Despite these everyday experiences with aging devices, the battery industry continues to report […]
