The Limiting Factor reports that Tesla will use Polycrystal cathodes with new coatings and dopants to enable cobalt-free batteries with greater energy density and more charge cycles. This will be about a 4% improvement in material cost and energy density. The main improvement will be about a 7% gain from factory process improvement.
Single Crystal cathodes would have greater energy density but would have higher costs.
Research Papers on Polycrystal Cathodes, Coatings and Dopants
SOURCES- Tesla, Limiting Factor, Journals (Journal of the Electrochemical Society, ACS Energy Letters, Advanced Energy Materials
Written By Brian Wang, Nextbigfuture.com
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