SBIR Phase I: High energy density, low cost, nano-enabled aqueous flow battery suitable for transportation applications

这个SBIR第一阶段的项目是开发和展示基于新型纳米技术的液流电池，该电池可以满足2020年运输和固定存储的苛刻能量密度目标，并提供更便宜、更安全和环保的可充电储能液体，最终可能允许将电池以与汽油发动机相同的方式用于电动汽车(EVS)。拟议的创新方法利用纳米技术的进步，将固体电池化学物质合并成一种方便的可流动形式(纳米电子燃料或NEF)。建议的液流电池的低成本和高能量密度(高达350WH/L)使这项技术与目前使用的锂离子电池(250WH/L)具有很强的竞争力，而可流动形式使液体能够在一个设备中充电，并在单独的设备中使用能量，为电动汽车的运营提供了新的加油机会，特别是解决了续航里程焦虑和充电时间长的问题-这些问题目前阻碍了电动汽车的广泛采用。从商业角度看，拟议的低成本高能量密度水流电池的成功开发将为个人和商业交通的电气化、电网调平以及可再生能源与个人能源的整合带来变革，实现气候友好、环境和经济可持续的未来。在该项目中，将在全流动电池反应堆(第一阶段)中展示新型低成本、高能量密度的可充电液体，其特征是可泵送的低粘度纳米水悬浮(NEF)中的活性储能材料。通过改变纳米粒子的表面化学，并基于专利的表面修饰方法，解决了实现高固含量和低粘度的电活性悬浮液的挑战，该方法使纳米粒子在流体中具有高分散性，并能够更有效地传输和存储电能。还提出了流量电池设计方面的创新，以利用这种新的能量存储格式有效地运行电池。在全流量电池中演示这项技术将大大降低这项变革性技术的进一步商业化努力的风险，并将实现用于电能存储解决方案的高度通用、可互换和可充电的液体。该项目(第二阶段)的主要成果将是NEF液流电池的原型，其设计面向第一个市场-目前使用铅酸电池的轻型电动多功能车(EUV，美国市场价值13亿美元)。在相同体积和每千瓦时价格降低25%的情况下，NEF电池提供约3倍的能量存储和通过更换活性材料(NEF)进行快速充电的额外能力。

This SBIR Phase I project is to develop and demonstrate novel nanotechnology based flow battery that meets demanding 2020 energy density targets for transportation and stationary storage and offers a cheaper, safer and environmentally friendly rechargeable energy-storing fluid, which could ultimately allow using batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) in the same fashion as gasoline-powered engines. The proposed innovative approach uses advancements in nanotechnology to merge solid battery chemistries into a convenient flowable format (nanoelectrofuels or NEF). The low cost and high energy density of the proposed flow batteries (up to 350 Wh/L) makes this technology highly competitive with currently used Li-ion batteries (250 Wh/L), while the flowable format enables charging the liquid in one device and use of energy in a separate device, offering new refueling opportunities for EV operations, specifically addressing range anxiety and long charging time - issues currently preventing widespread adoption of EVs. From the commercial perspective the successful development of the proposed low cost high energy density aqueous flow battery could be transformational for electrification of personal and commercial transportation, grid leveling, and integration of renewable energy sources into our individual energy usage for a climate-friendly, environmentally and economically sustainable future.In this project novel low-cost, high energy density rechargeable liquids that feature active energy storing materials in pumpable low viscosity aqueous nanosuspension (NEF) will be demonstrated in a full flow cell reactor (Phase I). The challenge of achieving electroactive suspensions with high solid loading and low viscosity is addressed by changing the surface chemistry of nanoparticles and based on the patented surface modification approach which enables high dispersibility of nanoparticles in fluids and their ability to more efficiently transport and store electrical energy. Innovation in flow cell designs are also proposed for effective battery operations with this new energy storage format. Demonstration of this technology in a full flow cell will significantly de-risk further commercialization efforts for this transformational technology and will enable highly versatile, interchangeable and rechargeable liquids for electrical energy storage solutions. The main outcome of this project (Phase II) will be the prototype of NEF flow battery with design geared towards the first market - light electric utility vehicles (EUVs, $1.3 B market in US) that currently use Pb-acid batteries. For the same volume and 25% lower price per kWh the NEF battery offers ~3 times the energy storage and the additional ability of rapid charge replenishment through active material (NEF) replacement.