Liquefied Gas Electrolytes for Next-Gen EV Batteries

This combined phase SBIR I,II,IIS proposal seeks to develop and demonstrate high power lithium battery cells having up to 330 Wh-kg specific energy with capability to fast charge using a novel Liquefied Gas Electrolyte (LiGas) technology. The LiGas electrolyte uses safe and non-toxic, non-corrosive gasses which are liquefied under moderate pressures and are easily contained in standard cylindrical cell cans. The technology has already demonstrated excellent performance with conventional 18650,2170 Graphite-NMC Li-ion cells and offers many areas for cost reduction. This project will focus on developing higher energy and higher power lithium cells up to 330 Wh-kg which have capability to fast charge and offer significant safety advantages and low temperature performance while reducing cost. This performance will be achieved with using the inherent safety, high power, and low temperature advantages of the LiGas electrolyte in combination with partner’s high-capacity silicon anode and high voltage and cobalt-free LNMO spinel cathodes. All Category I solicitation requirements (specific and volumetric energy, cold temperature performance, cost, etc.) are all expected to be met by the proposed technology.