“If not properly tackled, cell-to-cell heterogeneities can compromise the longevity, health, and safety of a battery pack and induce an early battery pack malfunction,” says Simona Onori, an assistant ...

A year and a half ago, China's CATL put on a flashy event to make an announcement significant enough that Zeng Yuqun, the founder and chairman of the world's biggest battery maker, served as emcee.

Battery recycling is critical but current techniques, such as controlled burning of old packs, can release toxic materials. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory says it has a safer, cheaper option.