The program is managed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and funds research groups at LBNL and several other organizations, including other National Laboratories and universities. The quarterly reports summarize the recent progress of the program participants, organized into separate research tasks. Featured highlights for this quarter include:

• Cell Analysis and Cathodes. Richardson and Doeff Groups develop a low-cost synthesis process for high-rate LiFePO₄. Zaghib Group develops an in situ SEM tool to directly observe the expansion/contraction of silicon oxide anodes during charge and discharge. With this tool they show that cracks formed during expansion, remain after contraction.

• Electrolytes. Smith and Borodin Group confirm, through molecular dynamics simulations, the formation of dilithium ethylene dicarbonate in the SEI and not dilithium butylene dicarbonate.

• Cathodes. Thackeray Group able to reduce first-cycle irreversible-capacity-loss and improve rate capability of a Li₂MnO₃-stabilized oxide with an acid treatment process.

• Diagnostics. Kostecki Group measures different reactions and rates of electrolyte reduction on different crystalline surfaces of Sn.

• Modeling. Newman Group accurately models the reduction current of a shuttle through an SEI.

Resources

• BATT November 2010 Quarterly Report