Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a battery design that continues to operate even in severe sub‑zero temperatures.
Extreme winter conditions can overwhelm power networks, immobilise electric vehicles and leave backup systems unable to supply energy when it matters most.
Dr Jodie Lutkenhaus, professor of chemical engineering and associate dean for research in the College of Engineering, who led the team, explained that cold weather disrupts conventional batteries because they rely on a liquid electrolyte to move charge. “If that electrolyte freezes, then charge can no longer be transported. Hence, the battery will not charge or discharge.” She added that “We saw exactly this issue in the cold snap in Chicago in 2024, where electric vehicle batteries were so cold and frozen that they did not charge at their powering stations.”
The new design maintains performance down to –40°C by replacing the freezing‑prone liquid electrolyte with one that remains fluid, and by using soft polymer materials instead of sluggish inorganic components. The team created an organic dual‑ion battery using redox‑active polymers paired with a diglyme‑based low‑temperature electrolyte, enabling conductivity where standard systems fail.
Tests showed the battery retained 85% capacity at 0°C and 55% at –40°C while sustaining high power output. Carbon‑fibre weaves were also incorporated to boost mechanical strength, creating a structural battery suited to applications where weight and durability are critical.
Lutkenhaus noted that “When you use materials that naturally tolerate the cold, the battery doesn’t have to fight its own chemistry,” highlighting the potential for more resilient energy storage during extreme weather.
The team has reported its findings on the polymer‑based battery in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A.
