Novel Pre-lithiation Technology for High Energy Density Electric Vehicle Batteries

Successful commercialization and market adoption of electric drive vehicles (EVs) requires development of Li-ion storage technologies that can deliver >350Wh/kg, well above what can be achieved with current battery materials. Implementation of next generation cathode and anode materials is needed to further increase specific energy of Li-ion cells. However, without pre-lithiation, some of the most promising anode materials that have high capacity but low efficiency cannot be used. CAMX Power proposes to develop a safe and scalable pre-lithiation technology that will enable the use of very high capacity, long life, but low first cycle efficiency Si-based anodes to demonstrate lithium-ion cells capable of meeting specific energy, power, and life targets for EV batteries. We will leverage our CAM-7® cathode material and our work on Si-based anodes to demonstrate lithium-ion cells that utilize pre-lithiation and are able to meet the 350Wh/kg target. During the Phase I effort we will explore the impact of active materials on the extent of pre-lithiation achieved and test different pre-lithiation process parameters and environmental stability of pre-lithiated electrodes. We will also demonstrate that optimally pre-lithiated cells with a Si-based anode can meet the scaled energy targets. Moreover, process scalability will be demonstrated in 200+mAh pouch cells. Proposed technology will enable production of batteries with >350Wh/kg specific energy making it extremely attractive for implementation in both portable power and EV batteries. By increasing the energy density of EV batteries, and thus increasing the driving range of vehicles between recharges, we anticipate this technology will further lead to increased market adoption of electric vehicles.