UT Dallas Solves a Decades-Old Lithium Mystery
Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) have cracked a long-standing problem that’s hindered the commercialization of lithium-nickel-oxide (LiNiO₂) batteries—a promising material for durable, longer-lasting lithium-ion power. What’s the Issue? LiNiO₂ has long held potential as a next-gen cathode material for batteries, offering the prospect of significantly extended life. Yet recurring degradation during repeated charge cycles has blocked its path to real-world use. Until now, the root cause remained unclear. The Breakthrough UT Dallas engineers, part of the BEACONS initiative (a $30 million Department of Defense–backed program launched in 2023), dove into the breakdown process using advanced computational modeling. Their atomic-level analysis revealed a surprising culprit: a chemical reaction involving oxygen atoms within the LiNiO₂. This reaction destabilizes the cathode structure, leading to cracking and degradation over time. Once the degradation mechanism was understood, the team devised an elegant solution: reinforcing the cathode by introducing positively charged ions—“pillars” that bolster the material’s structural integrity and prevent the splitting caused by oxygen dynamics. From Idea to Prototype With this conceptual fix in hand, UT Dallas is shifting into development mode. Matthew Bergschneider, a doctoral student and first author of the study, is setting up a robotics-driven lab that will automate the synthesis and testing of the strengthened LiNiO₂ cathodes. The plan is to begin with small-scale prototypes and scale up to producing hundreds of batteries per week—paving the way for full commercialization. Why It Matters for Batts.biz and the Battery Sector Key Takeaways
Hithium Begins US Production with First BESS Shipments from Texas Factory
Chinese battery manufacturer Hithium has commenced shipments from its new 484,441-square-foot manufacturing facility in Mesquite, Texas, marking a significant milestone in domestic energy storage production. The Xiamen-based company officially opened the facility in May 2025, following a construction timeline that began in July 2024. Initial investment doubled from the originally planned $100 million, with the plant targeting 10GWh annual production capacity for battery modules and complete systems—though cell manufacturing remains offshore. Market Context and Policy Impact The facility launch comes amid shifting US energy policy dynamics. While the previous Biden administration promoted domestic clean energy manufacturing, policy uncertainty under the current Trump administration has contributed to an estimated 21GWh of planned BESS cell manufacturing capacity being cancelled since early 2025, according to Clean Energy Associates. Despite these setbacks among smaller players, major manufacturers are following through on expansion plans. Solar Media Market Research projects that capacity additions from Tesla, Canadian Solar, and LG Energy Solution will bring US-based annual BESS cell manufacturing to over 50GWh by end-2026, with similar assembly capacity expected by end-2025. Technology and Incentives US manufacturers can still access significant incentives, including a 10% domestic content bonus for the investment tax credit and production tax credits worth $35/kWh for cells and $10/kWh for modules. However, new restrictions on foreign entity of concern (FEOC) materials and investments from China have tightened under recent H.R.1 legislation. Hithium continues advancing its cell technology in China, recently launching a 1175Ah large-format lithium iron phosphate cell for 4+ hour duration applications and mass-producing 587Ah cells optimized for 2-hour applications. The company currently supplies cells to NHOA, Risen Energy, Powin (recently acquired by FlexGen), and its own integrated BESS projects. “Local manufacturing lets us meet American standards, respond quickly to demand, and work with communities and partners to drive the clean energy transition,” said James Boswell, Hithium’s VP of North America operations.
