The hidden crack problem destroying EV batteries

Overview

On December 29, researchers from the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory published findings in Nature Nanotechnology that flip battery science on its head. Single-crystal lithium-ion batteries—designed specifically to avoid the grain-boundary cracking that plagued older batteries—are failing anyway. But they're cracking for the exact opposite reason scientists expected.

In This Story

6 People

Material Redesign Extends EV Range 30% by 2028

3 Context

Goodenough's Lithium Cobalt Oxide Discovery (1980)

Key Indicators

$92.7B

EV Battery Market Size (2025)

Global market value with double-digit growth projected through 2030

1.8%

Annual Battery Degradation Rate

Down from 2.3% in 2019, but still limits vehicle lifespan

500 Wh/kg

Next-Gen Energy Density Target

Compared to ~260 Wh/kg in current batteries

2030

Solid-State Commercialization

Industry target for mass production of next-gen batteries

Interactive

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Debate Arena

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People Involved

Jing Wang

Postdoctoral Researcher, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (Lead author of Nature Nanotechnology study)

Y. Shirley Meng

Professor, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago (Chief Scientist, Argonne Collaborative Center for Energy Storage Science)

Khalil Amine

Leader, Advanced Battery Technology Team, Argonne National Laboratory (Elected to National Academy of Engineering (2025))

John B. Goodenough

Nobel Laureate, Battery Pioneer (Deceased 2023 (age 100))

M. Stanley Whittingham

Nobel Laureate, Battery Pioneer (Distinguished Professor, Binghamton University)

Akira Yoshino

Nobel Laureate, Battery Pioneer (Honorary Fellow, Asahi Kasei Corporation)

Organizations Involved

University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering

Research Institution

Status: Leading energy storage research

Engineering school focused on molecular-scale solutions to energy, health, and technology challenges.

Argonne National Laboratory

Federal Research Laboratory

Status: DOE national laboratory conducting battery research

DOE laboratory housing the Advanced Photon Source and leading battery materials research.

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL)

Battery Manufacturer

Status: World's largest EV battery manufacturer

Chinese battery giant leading commercialization of sodium-ion and fast-charging technologies.

Timeline

Hidden Flaw Found in Single-Crystal Batteries
Research

UChicago and Argonne researchers discover single-crystal batteries crack from reaction heterogeneity, not grain boundaries, and that cobalt helps rather than harms longevity.
December 29th, 2025
CATL Confirms 2026 Large-Scale Sodium-Ion Deployment
Commercial

CATL announced at its supplier conference that sodium-ion batteries will deploy at scale across passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, battery swap stations, and energy storage by end of 2026, with 175 Wh/kg energy density and passing China's new GB 38031-2025 safety standards.
December 28th, 2025
CATL Unveils 1,500km Range Battery
Commercial

CATL announces Freevoy battery using self-forming anode technology with 60% higher energy density.
April 1st, 2025
First Mass-Production Sodium-Ion Battery
Commercial

CATL launches Naxtra sodium-ion battery rated for 25+ years, operating from -40°C to +70°C.
April 1st, 2025
Stanford: Real-World Batteries Last 38% Longer
Research

Stanford study reveals EV batteries last 38% longer in real-world driving than lab tests predict.
December 1st, 2024
Nobel Prize Recognizes Battery Pioneers
Recognition

Goodenough, Whittingham, and Yoshino awarded Nobel Prize in Chemistry for lithium-ion battery development.
October 9th, 2019
Sony Commercializes Lithium-Ion Battery
Commercial

Sony releases first commercial lithium-ion battery for portable CD players, launching the rechargeable battery revolution.
January 1st, 1991
First Safe Lithium-Ion Battery
Research

Akira Yoshino creates first practical lithium-ion battery using carbon anode, eliminating dangerous pure lithium.
January 1st, 1985
Goodenough Doubles Battery Voltage
Research

John Goodenough develops lithium cobalt oxide cathode, increasing voltage from 2.4V to 4V and making practical rechargeable batteries possible.
January 1st, 1980

Scenarios

Material Redesign Extends EV Range 30% by 2028

Discussed by: Industry analysts and battery manufacturers applying the UChicago findings

Manufacturers redesign single-crystal cathodes using the counterintuitive chemistry revealed by the UChicago study—adding cobalt and reducing manganese despite decades of doing the opposite. Battery degradation rates drop from 1.8% to under 1% annually, effectively extending vehicle lifespan and enabling automakers to reduce battery sizes by 20-30% while maintaining range. CATL, LG, and other manufacturers incorporate the findings into 2027-2028 production lines. Combined with solid-state advances, this creates a stepwise improvement rather than a single revolutionary breakthrough.

Solid-State Batteries Leapfrog Chemistry Fixes

Discussed by: Toyota, Honda, and Nissan targeting 2027-2030 commercialization

Solid-state batteries reach commercial production by 2028-2030, eliminating liquid electrolyte issues entirely before single-crystal chemistry improvements reach full deployment. Mercedes, Toyota, and Honda successfully scale manufacturing, delivering 620+ mile ranges and 10-minute charging. The UChicago findings become historically important but practically obsolete—a research milestone overtaken by a different technological path. Lithium-ion chemistry improvements continue for lower-cost segments while premium EVs shift to solid-state.

Manufacturing Complexity Delays Implementation

Discussed by: Battery supply chain analysts concerned about rare earth dependencies

The discovery that cobalt extends battery life creates a strategic dilemma as manufacturers try to eliminate cobalt for cost and ethical sourcing reasons. Increasing cobalt content conflicts with industry moves toward cobalt-free LFP batteries and sodium-ion alternatives. Manufacturers split into two paths: premium vehicles use optimized cobalt-rich NMC with improved lifespan, while mass-market EVs shift to cobalt-free chemistries with acceptable degradation rates. The breakthrough improves understanding but doesn't solve the fundamental cobalt supply problem.

Historical Context

Goodenough's Lithium Cobalt Oxide Discovery (1980)

1980-present

What Happened

John Goodenough discovered that lithium cobalt oxide could serve as a cathode material, doubling battery voltage from 2.4V to nearly 4V. This breakthrough made rechargeable lithium-ion batteries commercially viable. The chemistry became the foundation for Sony's 1991 commercial battery and remains widely used today.

Outcome

Short Term

Enabled commercialization of lithium-ion batteries within a decade.

Long Term

Created a $92.7 billion market by 2025 and powered the smartphone and EV revolutions over 45 years.

Why It's Relevant Today

The UChicago discovery reveals that cobalt's role is opposite in single-crystal vs. polycrystalline batteries—challenging assumptions from Goodenough's original chemistry.

Transition from Polycrystalline to Single-Crystal Cathodes (2010s)

2010-2025

What Happened

Battery manufacturers developed single-crystal cathode materials to eliminate grain boundaries—the weak points where polycrystalline batteries cracked during charge cycles. The industry invested heavily in manufacturing processes, believing this would solve mechanical degradation problems and extend battery life.

Outcome

Short Term

Single-crystal batteries showed improved cycle life in some conditions.

Long Term

Batteries still degraded, but the industry applied old design rules without understanding the new failure mechanism until 2025.

Why It's Relevant Today

The UChicago study shows the industry solved the grain-boundary problem but created a reaction-heterogeneity problem—they were optimizing for the wrong failure mode.

Nobel Prize Recognition of Battery Technology (2019)

2019

What Happened

The Nobel Committee awarded the Chemistry Prize to Goodenough, Whittingham, and Yoshino for developing lithium-ion batteries. At 97, Goodenough became the oldest Nobel laureate ever. The recognition acknowledged how batteries transformed society through portable electronics and electric vehicles.

Outcome

Short Term

Validated battery research as world-changing science worthy of highest recognition.

Long Term

Increased research funding and prestige for energy storage, accelerating the next generation of battery innovations.

Why It's Relevant Today

The UChicago breakthrough builds on Nobel-winning chemistry while showing how much remains unknown even in mature technologies—scientific progress continues even after Nobel recognition.