SBIR Phase II: Modified Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Low-Cost, High-Energy Li-ion Batteries

小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力在于为商业化的高能锂离子电池进行原型和规模演示。预计这将直接进入国内特种和国防储能市场(空中和水下无人机、个人电池)和全球消费设备市场，同时也有望证明这项技术在全球电动汽车市场的进一步发展。拟议的项目和由此产生的技术通过一种科学独特的技术创新方法，满足了对低成本、高能量和安全的能量存储技术日益增长的需求。如果成功实现下一代锂离子电池，该项目将有助于无人机技术和消费电子技术的重大进步，能够实现社会变革。例如，提供3-6个月的连续无人机飞行时间为通信和国防行业创造了机会，或者为电子产品提供了占据传统电池一半空间的电池，这为更高功率和更高功能的消费设备创造了机会。此外，该项目为美国提供了一个提升其在能源储存领域领导地位的机会。到2020年，全球储能市场预计将超过450亿美元，对美国来说，获得并保持在该领域的重要地位至关重要。尽管锂离子技术的改善速度缓慢，但对更高性能电池的需求正在快速增长。为了解决这个问题，该项目建议实现一种不可燃、高能的圆柱形锂离子电池技术，该技术包括高负载硅阳极和富镍阴极。在圆柱形电池中加入高负载硅阳极是独一无二的，并已被证明在一系列市场中非常有吸引力。此外，这项创新被提议与现有的电池制造基础设施兼容，以实现快速商业化。SBIR第二阶段项目将首次通过优化电极结构及其配套的电解液成分，在商业上可行的圆柱形电池原型中展示工作的高负载硅阳极。在优化原型电池设计后，将按比例调整阳极以集成到圆柱形电池中，原型将进行循环和安全性能表征，必要时将进行迭代和改进，最后，原型电池将被整合到无人机就绪组件设计中，交付给无人机制造合作伙伴。如果成功地完成了这些任务，该项目将把未来的研究努力引向对电解液电池设计的更高关注。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lies in the prototyping and scaled demonstration of a high-energy lithium-ion cell for commercialization. This is expected to directly feed into the domestic specialty and defense energy storage markets (aerial and underwater drones, on-person battery) and global consumer device markets while it is also expected to prove the technology for further development in the global electric vehicle markets. The proposed project and resulting technology responds to the growing need for low-cost, high-energy, and safe energy storage technology through a scientifically unique and technologically innovative approach. If successful in enabling a next-generation lithium-ion battery, this project will contribute to major advances in drone technology and consumer electronics technology capable of societal transformation. For example, providing 3-6 months of continuous drone flight time creates opportunities for the communications and defense industries, or providing batteries that take up ½ the space of conventional batteries for electronics opens the opportunity for higher power and more highly functional consumer devices. Moreover, this project represents an opportunity for the U.S. to grow its leadership position in energy storage. With the global energy storage market projected to exceed $45B by 2020, it is crucial for the U.S. to gain and maintain a substantial position in the field.Despite the slow rate of improvement in Li-ion technology, demand for a higher performing battery is growing quickly. To address this issue, this project proposes to enable a non-flammable, high-energy lithium-ion cylindrical cell technology comprising a high-loading silicon anode and nickel-rich cathode. The incorporation of a high-loading silicon anode in a cylindrical cell format is unique and has proven very attractive across a range of markets. Moreover, the innovation is proposed to be compatible with the existing battery manufacturing infrastructure for rapid commercialization. This SBIR Phase II project will, for the first time, demonstrate a working high-loading silicon anode in commercially viable cylindrical cell prototypes through the optimization of the electrode architecture and its accompanying electrolyte composition. Upon optimizing the prototype cell design the anode will be scaled for integration into cylindrical cells, the prototypes will be characterized for cycling and safety performance, iteration and improvements will be made as necessary, and finally, prototype cells will be incorporated into a drone-ready pack design for delivery to an Unmanned Aerial Vehicles manufacturing partner. If successful in achieving these tasks, this project should direct future research efforts towards a higher focus on electrolyte-enabled battery designs.