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The U.S. Secretary of Energy’s office has awarded the Secretary of Energy’s Achievement Award to the Scientific and Operational Leadership team for the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR).
A new long-life battery built to aid utility companies in meeting the growing energy demands created by electric vehicles and the integration of solar and wind power on the national power grid was developed with the help of high-energy X-rays.
Positive electrodes for secondary batteries containing lithium source material
Intellectual Property Available to License
US Patent 9,012,091 and US Patent 9,478,794
Electroactive Materials for Rechargeable Batteries (ANL-IN-12-086)
Method to compensate anode for initial irreversible capacity loss
Enables lithium- deficient cathode materials through lithium source
An as-prepared cathode for a secondary battery, the cathode including an alkaline source material including an alkali metal oxide, an alkali metal sulfide, an alkali metal salt, or a combination of any two or more thereof.
Unique carbon-coated cathodes that improve electrical conductivity
Intellectual Property Available to License
US Patent 9,431,649
Coating Active Materials for Applications in Electrochemical Devices (ANL-IN-09-043)
X-ray diffraction graph of coated (10%) and uncoated Li1.2Mn0.5Ni0.176Co0.1O2.
A process that includes suspending/dissolving an electro-active material and a carbon precursor in a solvent; and then depositing the carbon precursor on the electro-active material to form a carbon-coated electro-active material.
The method avoids the high temperature, pressure and manufacturing extremes of conventional chemical vapor deposition and other pyrolysis methods of preparation. When carbon-coated metal oxides (for electro-active materials) are prepared, the metal oxide often reduces to the metal species. Argonne’s method can produce carbon-coated metal oxides without the problems associated with reductions. The carbon precursor can be graphene, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, their derivatives or a combination of any two or more such carbon precursors.
Benefits
Carbon-coated materials can be charged and discharged faster than non-coated materials.
Using this method, the metal oxide will not reduce to the metal species when coated with carbon.
Carbon-coated cathode materials have improved electronic conductivity.
With its high capacity and high current rate, carbon-coated materials are ideal for use in lithium batteries for plug-in and electric vehicles.
Applications and Industries
Coatings for electrodes used in batteries for
Electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles;
Portable electronic devices;
Medical devices; and
Space, aeronautical, and defense-related devices.
Developmental Stage
Proof of concept
A cathode coating that leads to faster battery charging and discharging without a loss in performance
Charge and discharge capacity of pristine, 250ºC dry air and 250ºC He/5%H2 heated Li1.12Mn0.55Ni0.145Co0.1O2 showing better perf
Two processes are provided. In the first process, an electro-active material is heated and exposed to a reducing gas to form a surface-treatment layer on the electro-active material. The reducing gas comprises hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, an alkane, an alkyne, or an alkene. The process also includes introducing an inert gas with the reducing gas. The surface-treated, electro-active material may be used in a variety of applications such as in a rechargeable lithium battery.
The second process includes mixing an electro-active material and a reducing agent to form a surface treatment layer on the electro-active material; and then removing the reducing agent. Removal includes vacuuming, filtering, or heating. The reducing agent is hydrazine, NaH, NaBH4, LiH, LiAlH4, CaH2, oxalic acid, formic acid, diisobutylaluminium hydride, zinc amalgam, diborane, a sulfites, dithiothreitol, or Sn/HCl, Fe/HCl. The partially reduced electro-active material can be used in a variety of applications such as a rechargeable lithium battery, a primary lithium battery, or a secondary lithium battery.
Benefits
Increased electrical conductivity of cathode materials, which improves the rate capability of the material. By this process the battery can be charged or discharged faster without losing its electrochemical performance.
Applications and Industries
Coatings for electrodes used in batteries for
Electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles;
Portable electronic devices;
Medical devices; and
Space, aeronautical, and defense-related devices.
Developmental Stage
Proof of concept
Increased safety and security from battery gas release
Intellectual Property Available to License
US Patent 9,825,287
Surface Modification Agents for Lithium Batteries (ANL-IN-08-026)
A process to modify the surface of the active material used in an electrochemical device. The modification agent can be a silane, organometallic compound, or a mixture of two or more of such compounds. Both negative and positive electrodes for lithium-ion batteries can be made from the surface-modified active materials. Surface modification can be accomplished by either adding the agent to a non-aqueous electrolyte used in constructing a battery, or by treating the materials in a gas phase or in a solution.
Benefits
Schematic of surface modification for battery materials.
Increased safety and life of lithium-ion batteries, as the surface modification prevents a catalytic reaction in lithium-ion cells that generates hydrogen gas, which can lead to substantial power fade of the cell and potential explosions.
Includes methods and molecules as additives that enable electrode modification.