Atomic Layer Deposition-Enabled, Silicon-Based, Fast-Charging Lithium-Ion Cells

Forge Nano teams with Argonne National Laboratory’s battery Post Test Facility to develop silicon-based lithium-ion batteries with extreme-high-rate capabilities. To accomplish this, the team will leverage Forge Nano’s expertise in Atomic Layer Deposition to coat battery active material powders. Such nanometer-thick coatings can improve rate capability by improving wetting, preventing side-reactions, and mitigate resistance rise with extended cycling. We will leverage Forge Nano’s ongoing development activities to manufacture lithium-ion batteries with domestically sourced materials. The Argonne team will reduce risk by providing valuable insights from the Department of Energy Vehicle Technology Office’s research consortia on fast-charge (XCEL) and Silicon Deep Dive. Their advanced characterization techniques will help to quantify key factors that limit cell performance, such as individual electrode polarization and identification of lithium inventory loss mechanisms. These results will inform the needed development pathways to continue to improve performance.