Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Development

65737 Lithium-ion batteries offer several performance advantages over conventional lead-acid batteries including higher specific energy (~ 150 Wh/kg), energy density (>325 Wh/L), and cycle life. While these advantages have lead to the recent growth of lithium-ion technology for various consumer applications, the high cost of these batteries has prevented their commercial use in electric and hybrid vehicles. The cost of the electrolyte, at over a $300/L, is one of the cost drivers in a Li-ion cell. To lower the cost of these electrolytes, this project will develop inexpensive, conductive salts for lithium-ion battery systems. In Phase I, the salts will be synthesized from inexpensive starting materials which are commercially available in high purity. These salts will be prepared with minimal downstream purification, further reducing the cost of manufacturing these salts. Performance characteristics will include high specific conductivity, electrochemical stability, and thermal stability when substituted into current lithium-ion cell chemistries. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by awardee: The salts should find use in using lithium-ion technology, including electric and hybrid automobiles, computers, cell phones, and satellites