Lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous in consumer electronics such as cellphones and in electric vehicles, but the surrounding temperature and speed of charging affect those batteries’ performance, safety and lifespan. Fast charging adds convenience, but it further stresses battery life as it can cause “lithium plating” to occur—a process where the lithium ions that should be jumping from the cathode to the graphite material in the anode instead react only on the surface of the anode and become lithium metal.
A clear view to better batteries: Engineers show moment lithium-ion batteries begin to fail
