Fiscal Year:
2009
Title:
High Performance Hydroxyl Conductive Membrane For Advanced Rechargeable Alcaline Batteries
Agency:
DOE
Contract:
DE-FG02-08ER85092
Award Amount:
$749,980.00
Abstract:
Increasingly, strict environmental regulations, surging energy demand and oil prices, and the proliferation of the internet and electronic devices have given rise to a growing market demand for efficient, clean, and renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy. However, the electricity generated from these renewable sources suffers from the drawback of fluctuation. To solve this problem, a low cost, reliable, long life, and efficient electrical energy storage (EES) system is sought to ensure 24/7 reliability for commercial and residential grid applications. One option is to use alkaline-based rechargeable batteries, such as NiMH, provided that issues of performance, safety, and cost effectiveness can be addressed. This project will investigate replacing the aqueous KOH electrolyte with a solid polymer electrolyte. Phase I developed a novel hydroxyl conductive membrane with the following characteristics: (1) high ionic conductivity; (2) good thermal, chemical, and electrochemical stability; (3) scalable for large quantity manufacturing; (4) good compatibility with other cell components; and (5) low cost. Bipolar cell stacks were fabricated with this membrane, and excellent electrochemical performance was obtained. In Phase II, the hydroxyl conductive membrane will be incorporated into a unique bipolar NiMH battery. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The membrane not only should find use as the energy storage system for load leveling of electricity generated from renewable sources, but also could be used in NiMH batteries that already have been commercialized in hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). In the future, it also could be used as the energy storage device in plug-in HEVs
Small Business Information at Submission:
Enogetek Inc.
2055 Albany Post Road Suite AT-6 Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520
EIN/Tax ID:
203484835
DUNS:
N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned:
No
Minority-Owned:
No
HUBZone-Owned:
No