Energy Dense Batteries Based on Highly Conductive Solid Electrolyte and Cathode Materials

Higher energy, safer and lower cost rechargeable batteries leading to higher performing and increased market adoption of a wide array of products such as electric vehicles among several others. Current lithium-ion batteries have a specific energy of approximately 200 Wh/kg while it is desired to develop rechargeable batteries with specific energy in excess of 400 Wh/kg. Further, it is desired that these energy levels be achieved using cost-effective and safe materials. Solid- state batteries have considerable potential to achieve this goal. If successful, this effort will enable broader adoption of electric vehicles by consumers thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and our Nation’s reliance on non-renewable energy sources. How This Problem is Being Addressed Efforts proposed herein will investigate and further develop solid-state battery technology originally developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The proposed project will leverage specific advancements in solid-state cathode and electrolyte separator technology and their use in Solid Power’s all solid-state rechargeable battery configuration. The proposed project will culminate in full cell-level testing thereby validating the technology’s performance. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits If successful, the proposed effort would result in considerably higher energy batteries for electric vehicles thereby greatly increasing their range. Further, the proposed technology could benefit virtually any system or product that makes use of an electrochemical energy storage device. This includes consumer electronics, military powered systems (e.g., space satellites, aircraft, UAVs, communications, etc.) and utility-grid storage systems.