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Try these 5 fixes to improve it Trending * Apple March event * Galaxy Unpacked * Best laptop * Best VPN * Best web hosting * NYT Wordle today * Windows 10 end of life 1. Vehicle Tech 2. Hybrid & Electric Vehicles Forget solid-state batteries - researchers have made a lithium-ion breakthrough that could boost range and drastically lower costs News By Leon Poultney published 20 February 2026 Greater energy density and reduced costs are touted When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works. Volvo (Image credit: Volvo) * Copy link * Facebook * X * Whatsapp * Reddit * Pinterest * Flipboard * Threads * Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Get the TechRadar Newsletter Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. 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[LOG IN] Subscribe to our newsletter --------------------------------------------------------------------- * Researchers have made a breakthrough in anode-free lithium-ion batteries * A new gel electrolyte could solve one of the technology's biggest problems * This could unlock improved longevity and safety for the lithium-ion EV cells --------------------------------------------------------------------- Researchers at the Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science claim to have developed a new gel electrolyte that will help stabilize anode-free lithium-ion batteries. This should improve the safety and longevity of this emerging battery technology, while presenting a cost-saving to manufacturers. Anode-free lithium-ion batteries have been explored for a number of years, with a South Korean research team using an anode-free lithium metal battery architecture last year to double the volumetric density of a battery, without increasing its size. Eliminating the anode frees up more internal space, allowing an increased amount of active material to be packed into the same volume. This is like managing to squeeze more fuel into the same-sized fuel tank, according to Interesting Engineering. You may like * Changan Nevo A06 EV The world's first EV with a sodium-ion battery has just landed in China * Geely Solid State Battery The end of range anxiety? Geely makes solid-state battery breakthrough * Verge TS Pro Verge announces world-first motorcycle with solid-state batteries The major issues facing the technology have been safety and battery longevity, as anode-free lithium-metal batteries have suffered from uneven lithium deposition during charging sessions. This means the lithium can form sharp, needle-like structures (dubbed dendrites), which can pierce internal components and cause dangerous short circuits and thermal runaway events. But according to Interesting Engineering, which cites research findings first published in the journal Joule, the Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science researchers found a solution to this problem in a gel electrolyte. To get very technical for a moment, the team used a "parasitic salt-phobic polymer network in their electrolyte design", which "selectively repels lithium ions while attracting solvent molecules". Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. [ ][ ]Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands[ ]Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors[Sign me up] By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. InstaVolt Superhub (Image credit: InstaVolt) In relatively plain speak, the gel electrolyte is divided at the nanoscale into different compositions. This allows the formation of a protective layer on the lithium surface that prevents harmful dendrites from forming. During lab experiments, the researchers found that the gel electrolyte retained over 80% of its capacity under near-real-world conditions, while improving the battery's thermal stability, which would mean less energy consumed by an EV in either heating or cooling the pack for optimum operation temperatures. Apparently, the gel electrolyte also withstood extensive drilling without any thermal runaway. In contrast, batteries with conventional liquid electrolytes ignited or exploded during testing. You may like * Changan Nevo A06 EV The world's first EV with a sodium-ion battery has just landed in China * Verge TS Pro Verge announces world-first motorcycle with solid-state batteries * Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra charging Silicon-carbon is just the start: these battery technologies could make your phone last even longer In real world application, the researchers believe that a gel electrolyte in an anode-free lithium-ion battery could lead to EV packs with greater energy density, longer lifetimes and safer operation - all without the costs involved in developing all-new electrolyte formulations. Analysis: There's life left in lithium Breathe Battery Technology (Image credit: Breathe Battery Technology) Much of the talk around the future of electric vehicles revolves around solid-state battery packs, which have been referred to as the "holy grail" answer to many electric vehicle issues, such as slow charging speeds, poor range, overly heavy packs and lingering safety issues. But the technology is still very much in its infancy and, despite some Chinese companies claiming they are pushing it into production, it remains a much more expensive proposition than the current lithium-ion offerings. "There is still plenty of life left in lithium-ion technology," explains Akhil Krishnan, VP Product Line for the Volvo EX60. "Of course, I am excited about the future of solid-state, but we have already made great progress with lithium-ion," he adds. Working alongside Breathe, a battery software company that uses simulations and models to help get the most out of EV batteries, Volvo has proven that lithium-ion tech delivers. The upcoming Volvo EX60 boasts a WLTP range of over 500 miles and consistent fast-charging speeds in all conditions. Yan Zhao, co-founder at Breathe Battery Technologies says that convincing the next 25% of car buyers to go electric is going to be one of the toughest tasks yet. "Their buying decisions will be very price sensitive," he says. This is where improvements in lithium-ion batteries can assist, as it allows for greater range and faster charging speeds without passing on the costs of emerging battery technologies on to customers. As is the way with the internal combustion engine that, even after more than a century, continues to see improvements in performance and efficiency, lithium-ion technology will only get better over the next three to five years, according to the experts. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button! And of course, you can also follow TechRadar on YouTube and TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too. Leon Poultney Leon Poultney EVs correspondent Leon has been navigating a world where automotive and tech collide for almost 20 years, reporting on everything from in-car entertainment to robotised manufacturing plants. Currently, EVs are the focus of his attentions, but give it a few years and it will be electric vertical take-off and landing craft. Outside of work hours, he can be found tinkering with distinctly analogue motorcycles, because electric motors are no replacement for an old Honda inline four. View More You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. 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