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

这个PFI：空气技术转换项目专注于将独特的多功能超非晶金刚石(UNCD)薄膜(涂层)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、生命周期和生产就绪性缺口。我们的共同目标是生产出一条商业上可行的途径，通向下一代锂离子电池(Lib)和新一代热式锂硫(TLS)电池。基于UNCD的LiB和TLS的科技转换具有以下独特功能：i)基于UNCD涂层金属阳极的高性能阳极，可使电池寿命比现有技术至少提高10倍；ii)UNCD基锂离子传输膜，其抗电池环境和化学侵蚀的能力至少是现有电池的10倍；iii)UNCD膜作为电池内壁极耐化学涂层，可大幅降低成本，延长电池寿命，提高最终产品的经济生存能力。目前，需要更昂贵的金属才能在目标x10电池中存活更长的寿命(考虑到暴露在LiB和TLS电池的恶劣环境中)。这个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，比目前的电池技术至少高出10倍。目前，该电偶的阴极和阳极(两个关键部件)的理论体积能量密度为2,125Wh/L，理论比能量密度为597Wh/kg。与该市场领域领先的竞争对手LIB科学/技术相比，由此产生的TLS方法将使体积能量密度提高22%，比能量密度提高约400%。该项目通过开发以下方法来实现其目标：i)掺硼UNCD(B-UNCD)和氮晶界结合(N-UNCD)涂层金属电极(例如，钨(W)、钛(Ti)或W-涂层铜)，以确定哪种负极材料是插入新一代LiB和TLS电池的最佳负极材料，ii)高级钻石技术(ADT)的专利化学蚀刻工艺与UNCD涂层硅基或阳极氧化铝(AAO)膜之间的最佳方法，用于作为模板来生产比当前电池膜更坚固的UNCD基膜，以及iii)用于电池金属外壳内壁的耐化学腐蚀的UNCD涂层，以使其能够使用更便宜的金属材料，而不是目前使用的既昂贵又不耐化学腐蚀的钼。一个硬币类型的电池原型将作为基于UNCD的新型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。基于UNCD的新电池技术将可扩展，以生产更大的电池，用于更大的系统，如汽车电池。该合作伙伴关系聘请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，他们将为电池阳极提供N-UNCD涂层，并基于Si和AAO模板提供UNCD涂层薄膜。工业和商业化合作伙伴是高级钻石技术公司(ADT)，该公司目前正在扩大薄光滑钻石的商业应用。ADT将为开发B-UNCD薄膜作为电池阳极的替代导电涂层提供专业知识，如上所述。此外，ADT将提供客户识别、参与和商业化方面的专业知识，并管理钻石涂层电池组件的生产(预整合)和公开推出市场上的第一个LiB/TLS电池。ADT设施中的基础设施已经到位，以将UNCD涂层科学/技术转化为一条道路，这将为新一代LiB和TLS电池带来具有竞争力的商业现实，其性能可能比目前的电池高10倍。潜在的经济影响包括在国内生产高能量密度电池，预计在未来五年内成为可行的，并将重新吸引美国作为电池市场空间的竞争对手，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关键目标市场细分市场。从长远来看，社会影响将以i)医疗植入物(即除颤器/起搏器)的至少10倍小/更长的寿命，这将对需要这些设备的人的生活质量产生积极影响，以及ii)更长的寿命/更小的电池来为更高效的手机、便携式计算机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.