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SBIR Phase II: Engineered Solid Electrolyte Interphase Films for Silicon-Based Lithium Insertion Anodes

Award Information
Agency: National Science Foundation
Branch: N/A
Contract: 1256154
Agency Tracking Number: 1256154
Amount: $493,292.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: BC
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2012
Award Year: 2013
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2013-02-15
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2015-01-31
Small Business Information
8000 GSRI AVE 3100 BLGD #299
Baton Rouge, LA 70820-7001
United States
DUNS: 832741032
HUBZone Owned: Yes
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Wanli Xu
 (225) 578-0729
 wanli.xu@electro-mat.com
Business Contact
 Wanli Xu
Phone: (225) 578-0729
Email: wanli.xu@electro-mat.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project proposes to develop and commercialize surface-engineered silicon anodes for use in lithium-ion batteries. Silicon has a ten fold greater charge capacity than graphite but its practical use as an anode material is hindered due to the mechanical problems associated with lithiation cycles (cracking, pulverization) and unwanted chemical reactions at silicon surfaces. Electrochemical Materials (EM) has developed wet surface functionalization methods enabling silicon nanoparticles to be reversibly cycled without mechanical failure or deleterious side reactions. In this work, EM will develop the surface chemistry and integration methods to create anodes for tablet-size (4000mA?h) lithium- ion batteries. EM will develop a scalable manufacturing process and demonstrate batteries with surface-engineered silicon nanoparticles. The new anodes will allow batteries to reach capacities 30 to 40% higher than conventional lithium-ion batteries for more than 1000 cycles. The broader impacts/commercial potential of this project is that higher capacity lithium-ion batteries will be quickly realized in portable electronics and electric vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionized portable communications and electric vehicle power sources, yet their materials of construction have remained essentially unchanged since the mid 1980?s. If successful, the commercialization of surface-engineered silicon nanoparticles in lithium-ion anodes would result in 30 to 40% capacity gains along with an approximately 20% drop in cost per watt. Cell phones, tablets, and laptop users could use portable devices for longer periods between charging intervals. Electric vehicles with lithium- ion batteries could increase driving ranges by 40% and improve their cost competitiveness with gasoline-powered vehicles. Electrochemical Materials has strong relationships with major specialty chemical manufacturers, battery materials providers and battery manufacturers and intends to use NSF research and development funds to commercialize their innovative capacity-enhancing anode material.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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