Novel Composite Membrane Electrolyte Based Batteries for Electrical Vehicles

Conventional lithium-ion batteries using liquid electrolytes demonstrate great potential for applications in electrical vehicles, but they face some major challenges such as poor safety, low energy density and high cost. It is worthwhile to pursue alternative strategies to address the barriers of cost and energy density. We will develop novel composite membrane electrolytes to enable solid-state high-voltage lithium-ion batteries that are safer and may have higher energy density and lower cost. We will improve the cycle life and practical energy density of solid-state lithium-ion batteries to make them more commercially viable. We will design and fabricate a unique composite membrane solid electrolyte that is highly conductive, mechanically-resilient, and electrochemically-stable. This solid electrolyte will then be integrated with Li anode and high-voltage cathode to make full Li-ion batteries. We will evaluate the energy density and cycle life of the Li-ion batteries. The proposed solid-electrolyte Li-ion battery technology may directly facilitate the commercialization of electrical vehicles as it will address some major barriers from conventional Li-ion batteries. They may also be applicable in the consumer market to portable electronics and communication devices.