AIR Option 1: Tech Translation - Ultrananocrystalline Diamond Coating Tech for Integrated Electrode-Membrane-Inner Wall Case Coating for Long Life Commercial Li-Sulfur Battery

该PFI: AIR技术翻译项目专注于将独特的多功能超晶金刚石（UNCD）膜（涂层）技术的科学技术转化为卓越的储能电池和解决方案，以填补传统电池应用中明显的性能，生命周期和生产准备差距。他们的共同目标是为下一代锂离子电池（LIB）和新一代热锂硫（TLS）电池提供一条商业上可行的途径。基于uncd的LIB和TLS翻译科技具有以下独特之处：i)基于导电涂层UNCD金属阳极的高性能阳极，与现有技术相比，可将电池寿命延长至少10倍；ii)用于Li+离子传输的基于UNCD的膜，对电池环境和化学侵蚀的抵抗能力至少比现有电池高10倍；iii) UNCD薄膜作为电池内壁外壳的极耐化学腐蚀涂层，可大幅降低成本，延长电池的寿命周期。提高最终产品的经济可行性。目前，需要更昂贵的金属来维持目标x10更长的寿命（考虑到暴露在LIB和TLS电池的恶劣环境中）。该PFI AIR项目旨在提供一种TLS电池，其潜在体积能量密度为2,600 Wh/l，理论比能量密度为2,500 Wh/kg，其性能至少优于当前电池技术的10倍。目前最先进的阴极和阳极（两个关键部件）的理论体积能量密度为2,125 Wh/l，理论比能量密度为597 Wh/kg。与市场上领先的LIB科学/技术相比，由此产生的TLS方法将比现有的二级LIB技术提高22%的体积能量密度和400%的比能量密度。该项目通过发展以下方面来实现其目标：i)硼掺杂UNCD （B-UNCD）和氮晶界结合（N-UNCD）涂覆金属电极(如钨（W)、钛（Ti）或W涂覆Cu），以确定哪一种是新一代LIB和TLS电池的最佳阳极材料；ii)先进钻石技术公司（ADT）的专利化学蚀刻工艺和涂层uncd的硅基或阳极氧化铝（AAO）膜作为模板之间的最佳方法，可以生产比当前电池膜化学强度高10倍的uncd基膜。iii)电池金属外壳内壁的耐化学性UNCD涂层，从而可以使用较便宜的金属材料，而不是目前使用的既昂贵又耐化学性较差的钼。硬币型电池原型将作为新型基于uncd的LIB和TLS电池技术的概念验证，用于除颤器/起搏器、手机和计算机。新的基于uncd的电池技术将可扩展到为更大的系统（如汽车电池）生产更大的电池。该合作伙伴关系吸引了德克萨斯大学达拉斯分校（材料科学与工程系）的研究人员，他们将为电池阳极和基于Si和AAO模板的uncd涂层膜提供N-UNCD涂层。工业和商业化合作伙伴是先进钻石技术公司（ADT），该公司目前正在扩展薄光滑金刚石的商业应用。如上所述，ADT将为开发B-UNCD薄膜提供专业知识，作为电池阳极的替代导电涂层。此外，ADT将提供客户识别、参与和商业化方面的专业知识，以及管理金刚石涂层电池组件的生产（预集成）和向市场公开推出首批LIB/TLS电池。ADT设施的基础设施已经到位，可以将UNCD涂层科学/技术转化为具有竞争力的商业现实，新一代LIB和TLS电池的性能可能比现有电池好10倍。潜在的经济影响包括国内高能量密度电池的生产，预计在未来五年内将成为可行的，并将使美国重新成为电池市场空间中的竞争对手，在医疗设备/系统，移动通信设备，计算机和许多其他需要长寿命低成本电池的系统的关键目标细分市场。从长期来看，其社会影响将表现为：1)医疗植入物（即除颤器/起搏器）的寿命至少缩短10倍/延长10倍，这将对需要这些设备的人的生活质量产生积极影响；2)寿命更长/电池更小，为更高效的手机、便携式电脑和其他电子设备供电。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating the science and technology of unique multifunctional ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) film (coating) technology into superior energy storage cells and solutions that fill the performance, life-cycle, and production readiness gap evident in conventional battery applications. The collective goal is to produce a commercially viable path to the next generation of Li-ion batteries (LIB) and a new generation of thermal Li-Sulfur (TLS) batteries. The translated science and technology of UNCD-based LIB and TLS have the following unique features: i) high performance anodes based on electrically conductive UNCD-coated metal anodes to increase the battery lifetime by at least 10x with respect to current technologies, ii) UNCD-based membranes for Li+ ions transport with at least 10x higher resistance to battery environmental and chemical attacks than for current batteries, and iii) UNCD films as extremely chemically resistant coatings for the battery inner walls case to substantially lower the cost, extend cells' life-cycle, and improve the economic viability of the end product. Currently, much more expensive metals would be required to survive the targeted x10 longer life time (given exposure to the harsh environment of the LIB and TLS batteries). This PFI AIR project intends to deliver a TLS battery that has a potential volumetric energy density of 2,600 Wh/l with a theoretical specific energy density of 2,500 Wh/kg, which is at least x10 superior performance to current battery technologies. The state-of-the-art for cathodes and anodes (two critical components) for this couple currently features a theoretical volumetric energy density of 2,125 Wh/l and a theoretical specific energy density of 597 Wh/kg. The resulting TLS approach will provide 22% improvement in volumetric energy density and ~400% improvement in specific energy density over existing secondary LIB technologies, when compared to the leading competing LIB science/technology from manufacturers in this market space. The project accomplishes its objectives by developing: i) boron-doped UNCD (B-UNCD) and nitrogen-grain boundary incorporated (N-UNCD) coated metallic electrodes (e.g, tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), or W-coated Cu) to determine which is the best anode material to insert in the new generation of LIB and TLS batteries, ii) the best approach between a patented chemical etching processes from Advanced Diamond Technologies (ADT) and UNCD-coated Si-based or anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes used as templates to produce 10x more chemically robust UNCD-based membranes than current battery membranes, and iii) chemically resistant UNCD coating for the inner walls of the battery metal case to make it possible to use a less expensive metal material as opposed to currently used molybdenum that is both expensive and chemically less resistant. A prototype coin-type battery will be demonstrated as a proof-of-concept of the novel UNCD-based LIB and TLS battery technologies for defibrillators/pacemakers, cell phones, and computers. The new UNCD-based battery technology will be scalable to produce larger batteries for larger systems such as car batteries. The partnership engages researchers from the University of Texas at Dallas (Materials Science and Engineering Department), who will provide N-UNCD coatings for the battery anodes and UNCD-coated membranes based on the Si and AAO templates. The industrial and commercialization partner is Advanced Diamond Technologies (ADT), a company currently expanding the commercial application of thin smooth diamond. ADT will provide the expertise for developing the B-UNCD films as alternative electrically conductive coatings for battery anodes, as described above. In addition, ADT will provide expertise on customer identification, engagement and commercialization, as well as manage production of the diamond coated battery components (pre-integration) and public introduction of the first LIB/TLS batteries in the market. The infrastructure is already in place in ADT facilities to translate the UNCD coating science/technology along a path that will result in a competitive commercial reality for a new generation of LIB and TLS batteries with potentially 10x better performance than current batteries. The potential economic impact includes domestic production of high energy density cells expected to become viable in the next five years, and will re-engage the US as a competitive fixture in the batteries market space with key, targeted market segments in medical devices/systems, mobile communication devices, computers and many other systems requiring long life low cost batteries. The societal impact, long term, will be in the form of i) at least 10x smaller/longer life for medical implants (i.e., defibrillators/pacemakers), which will impact positively the quality of life of people requiring these devices, and ii) longer life/smaller batteries to power more efficient cell phones, portable computers, and other electronic devices.