MSU researchers develop wood-based material that improves lithium-ion battery safety

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.

MSU says that Fang and her team tested varying thicknesses of lignin and found that films measuring 25 micrometers, which is thinner than one-quarter of a human hair, were the most effective at keeping the inside of the battery stable.

This method of battery stabilization is also environmentally friendly. The researchers were able to use lignin and other materials to produce the film without creating any waste or pollution.

“Lignin, particularly lignosulfonate, is naturally abundant and it doesn’t need any further treatment to function in batteries,” said Fang in a news release sent to 6 News. “This work demonstrates a new design pathway to improve both the safety and manufacturability of battery materials.”

Thisresearchwas published in Advanced Materials, and the technology is patent pending through the MSU Innovation Center.

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