Individually, each battery cell is small and seemingly insignificant. However, when hundreds of these cells are connected in series and parallel, they comprise the principal component of an electric car's powertrain. That's why finding a cell chemistry that maximizes energy density and longevity is essential for powering the EVs of tomorrow. One possible next-gen chemistry is lithium metal due to its highly energy-dense characteristics. Stanford's Precourt Institute for Energy has recently discovered that lithium metal batteries also exhibit a fascinating characteristic: lost capacity due to degradation can be recovered.
