NER: Li-ion Batteries: Hierarchical Architectures for Reducing Diffusion Lengths

用于能量存储和传输的新型结构活性纳米结构和纳米系统ECCS-0709412PI-艾米·L·普里托科罗拉多州立大学目的：社会对能源的需求正在迅速超过当前的技术。纳米技术将对储存和运输能源的应用产生深远的影响。我们建议结合我们在开发具有优异物理和电子性能的新材料(Manivannan)和组织纳米材料的新合成方法(Prieto)方面的经验，来制备和表征一种用于锂离子电池技术的新型纳米结构。我们将把新型电极材料的纳米线阵列制造成新的电池结构。每根阳极纳米线都将被聚合物电解液覆盖，然后被阴极包围。智能优点：这种电池架构的显著优势是锂离子在正负极之间的扩散长度将大大缩短。虽然锂离子电池的各个方面都将受益于增强的材料性能，但该项目的智力优势在于PI开发的结构和共同PI开发的优化正极材料之间的协同。这项研究的最终目标是制造一种充放电速度更快、寿命更长的纳米级锂离子电池。长远的影响：充电电池的显著改进将对经济产生广泛的影响。此外，这是一个很好的培训学生的项目，因为组件是模块化的-一个学生负责阴极、阳极或电解液，但随后必须协作将它们有效地结合到一个功能设备中。PI将继续在几个本科生和研究生课程中纳入他们的尖端研究，并积极从代表性不足的群体中招收有才华的学生。

Novel Architectures for Energy Storage and TransferActive Nanostructures and NanosystemsECCS-0709412PI- Amy L. PrietoColorado State UniversityObjective: The energy needs for society are rapidly outpacing current technology. Nanotechnology will have a profound impact in applications for storing and transporting energy. We propose to integrate our experience in developing new materials with superior physical and electronic properties (Manivannan) and new synthetic methods for the organization of nanoscale materials (Prieto) to fabricate and characterize a novel nanoscale architecture for lithium ion battery technologies. We will fabricate nanowire arrays of novel electrode materials into a new battery architecture. Each anodic nanowire will be coated with a polymer electrolyte, then surrounded by the cathode. Intellectual Merit: The significant advantage of this battery architecture is that the diffusion length for lithium ions between the cathode and anode will be dramatically reduced. While every aspect of lithium ion batteries will benefit from enhanced materials properties, the intellectual merit of this project is in the synergy between the architecture developed by the PI and the optimized cathode materials developed by the co-PI. The ultimate goal of this research is a nanoscale lithium ion battery with faster charge and discharge rates and longer lifetime.Broader Impacts: Dramatic improvement in rechargeable batteries will have broad impacts economically. Furthermore, this is an excellent project for training students because the components are modular - one student is in charge of the cathode, anode, or electrolyte, but then must collaborate to effectively combine them into a functional device. The PI's will continue to include their cutting-edge research in several undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as actively recruit talented students from underrepresented groups.