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BATT Awards $731,000 Contract for Development of Novel Electrolyte for Li-ion Batteries Based on New Salt
16 May 2009
The Batteries for Advanced Transportation Technologies (BATT) program recently awarded a $731,000 contract to University of Rhode Island chemistry professor Brett Lucht, co-director of the URI Energy Center, for the development of new electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries (LIB). BATT is supported by US Department of Energy’s Office of Vehicle Technologies.
One of the components of the project, said Dr. Lucht, is a novel salt he and his colleagues presented at the 214th meeting of the Electrochemical Society in October 2008: Lithium Tetrafluorooxalatophosphate (LiPF4C2O4, LiF4OP).
Lucht and his research group have been studying the mechanism that causes lithium ion batteries to degrade over time.
The most widely used electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries are based on LiPF6 salt dissolved in organic carbonates or esters. These, however, have poor thermal stability, and significant energy fading can occur after several years at room temperature and after a few months at moderately elevated temperatures.
While there are a number of factors contributing to the limited thermal stability and calendar life of Li-ion batteries, the reactions of the electrolyte with the surface of the electrode materials is critical.
Most of the problems associated with the aging of batteries are due to the electrolyte—the liquid in the battery that contains dissolved salts and that allows the lithium ions to go back and forth between the electrodes
—Brett Lucht
Although a number of different alternative electrolytes have investigated, none of the salts have a superior combination of properties to LiPF6, according to Lucht in the paper for ECS 214. “An improved salt would benefit LIB technology.”
Lucht had earlier found that lithium tetrafluorooxalatophosphate is generated during thermal storage of LiPF6-based electrolytes with added LiBOB (an alternative electrolyte).
Investigation of the new salt revealed that it offers both high conductivity and excellent stability.
The high conductivity, thermal stability, and reversibility of cycling with standard anode and cathode materials suggest that LiF4OP/carbonate electrolytes are a promising alternative for lithium-ion batteries in PHEV applications.
—Brett Lucht, ECS 214
A patent is pending on the new salt.
The researchers have been working closely on the salt with Yardney Technical Products of Pawcatuck, Conn., which makes specialty batteries for the military and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Several Fortune 500 companies will also be conducting tests on the salt.
In addition to the salt discovery, Lucht has also developed additives for lithium-ion batteries that stabilize the salt in the battery electrolytes and inhibit its degradation due to heat. Patents are currently pending on this technology. These additives have been successfully tested in small lithium ion batteries, and testing in larger batteries is now under way.
Resources
Brett L. Lucht, Ang Xiao, Mengqing Xu, and Li Yang (2008) Novel Electrolyte for Lithium Ion Batteries: Lithium Tetrafluorooxalatophosphate (LiPF4C2O4) (ECS 214)
May 16, 2009 in Batteries | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
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The world badly needs improved batteries for practical PHEVs and BEVs.
Acceptable (not neccessarily ideal) next generation batteries should:
- have high energy density of 500+ Wh/Kg
- withstand 5000+ recharges with less than 20% degradation.
- quick charging, less than 10 minutes for 80%+ charge.
- affordable, less than $250/Kwh.
Will patents' over protection delay mass production of large battery packs with the above performances?
Many (existing and future) patents may have to be used to arrive at the mass production of improved battery packs.
Will (could) various patents holders cooperate to accellerate production of a superior battery and share the profits? Otherwise, mass production of very high performance affordable batteries could be delayed one or two decades.
Posted by: HarveyD | May 16, 2009 at 09:58 AM
They COULD work together, but the profit motive for a monopoly and huge money are reasons not to. Patents are a legalized monopoly. They should be there to recover development costs ONLY. Until we revise our severely outdated patent system, we will have just more of the same.
Posted by: SJC | May 16, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Harvey, you also forgot that those batteries should prevent balding and help with male problems.
lets see, a 100 mile range BEV would have a life of 500,000 miles, weigh 48kg and cost $6000, yeah that would be a nice battery.
Posted by: Herm | May 16, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Harvey
I you want batteries that met your spec you won't be driving an EV any time soon.. Batteries have always been slow to progress, the reason is that you need to developp new material, new material requires long and extensive investigations, there are potentialy more than 30 000 materials that could be used to make a battery...
ok so the best approach is Aptera, reduces drastically the weight and the drag, then even with a lousy battery you'll have a pollution and oil free vehicle with decent performances. For those who expect to run their SUV on batteries...keep dreaming.
Harvey there is electric assisted bike that can give you enough range for most of your current displacement. my point is that we don't necessarily need new technologies to move to an oil free, pollution free mode of life style. We can use smartly existing technologies and get our urban area better organized rather than whinning on patent exclusivity that block the progress (they don't by the way).
Harvey to help you wait for the perfect battery I encourage you to buy an Optima Baron Low Racer recumbent bike, it is very fast, safe, comfortable and incredibly fun to ride, and as an head turner, a Porsche is just a joke compared to it. It will cost you a fraction of an ev and keep you fit and healthy.
What's more ?
Posted by: Treehugger | May 16, 2009 at 03:23 PM
i agree the Aptera is the right approace: light weight/low drag, etc.
As far as getting our urban areas better organized?... dream on: that infrastructure is set in concrete.
Posted by: danm | May 17, 2009 at 03:18 PM
Tree hugger,
Sorry, Aptera is a farce. It evades the safety standards installed by all governments worldwide, by calling itself an enclosed motorcycle.
That trick won't last long.
If you like the Aptera than maybe you would also like the motorized rickshaw that Segway just showed. Another case of advanced terminal stupidity.
Besides outside of a concept Aptera or possibly two, I don't believe that more than a couple or maybe only one has actually been constructed. It is a publicity hound and little else.
Just like the almost non-existent Tesla with more weight of ink spread on paper, than the weight of all the Tesla's ever contructed by Lotus.
Posted by: ExDemo | May 19, 2009 at 05:43 PM
A very light Tata Nano PHEV-100 (KM) at about $3500 with BYD lithium batteries may be a good compromise for everybody under 110 Kg for the next 10 years or so.
Very heavy three tonnes (pick-ups, 4 x 4 etc) PHEVs are not practical, not required and would need huge very expensive batteries to transport mostly one person around.
Posted by: HarveyD | May 19, 2009 at 07:37 PM