Doubling the energy density of lithium-ion batteries for transportation

To accelerate the adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), Sila Nanotechnologies and its project team aim to transform portable energy storage by demonstrating 1200 Wh/L performance in full cells, with electrode materials materials cost of just $40/kWh. By more than doubling the amount of energy stored in any given form factor cell, without changing the manufacturing process, we will reduce the cost to produce a kWh of storage in half. In order to achieve these goals, Sila will abandon conventional intercalation materials such as LiCoO2 and C, in favor of an alloying-type materials pair using lithium disulfide (Li2S)-based composite cathode, and silicon (Si)-based composite anode. Both of the proposed materials will be synthesized into proprietary structures developed at Sila and Georgia Tech and tested in fully functioning, 1Ah+ cells.