The anode is the battery’s negative electrode and is crucial for storing and releasing energy through electrochemical reactions. During charging, lithium ions leave the cathode and travel through the electrolyte to intercalate (embed) into the anode material—commonly graphite, or is otherwise stored through alloying in advanced options like silicon composites or lithium metal. During discharge, the anode undergoes oxidation, releasing electrons to the external circuit while lithium ions depart from the anode and return to the cathode. The composition and design of the anode significantly influence overall battery performance, affecting all primary functions including energy density (the amount of energy the cell can store), power output, charge rate capability, cycle life, and safety. For instance, adding silicon to increase anode capacity introduces challenges like volume expansion and increased side reactions, which must be managed through material and cell design.
NOVONIX is at the forefront of anode technology development, advancing material processing of high-performance synthetic graphite. Through rigorous R&D and testing, including the use of Ultra-High Precision Coulometry (UHPC) to measure minute efficiency losses, NOVONIX evaluates how different anode materials and structures impact lithium-ion battery degradation and overall performance. These deep insights guide improvements in anode formulations and manufacturing processes. By optimizing anode chemistry, morphology, and processing, NOVONIX is helping produce longer-lasting, higher-performance batteries for demanding applications ranging from electric vehicles (EVs) to grid-scale energy storage systems (ESS).
