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

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力在于商业化的高能锂离子电池的原型和规模演示。预计这将直接进入国内专业和国防能源存储市场（空中和水下无人机，车载电池）和全球消费设备市场，同时也有望证明该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科学独特和技术创新的方法响应了对低成本、高能量和安全储能技术日益增长的需求。如果成功实现下一代锂离子电池，该项目将为无人机技术和能够实现社会变革的消费电子技术的重大进步做出贡献。例如，提供3-6个月的连续无人机飞行时间为通信和国防工业创造了机会，或者提供占用传统电子电池一半空间的电池，为更高功率和更高功能的消费设备打开了机会。此外，该项目为美国在能源存储领域的领导地位提供了一个机会。到2020年，全球储能市场预计将超过450亿美元，美国在该领域获得并保持重要地位至关重要。尽管锂离子技术的进步速度缓慢，但对高性能电池的需求正在迅速增长。为了解决这个问题，该项目提出了一种不易燃的高能锂离子圆柱形电池技术，该技术由高负载硅阳极和富镍阴极组成。在圆柱形电池格式中结合高负载硅阳极是独一无二的，并且在一系列市场中被证明非常有吸引力。此外，该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。这个SBIR二期项目将首次通过优化电极结构及其附带的电解质成分，在商业上可行的圆柱形电池原型中展示一个可工作的高负载硅阳极。在优化原型电池设计后，阳极将被缩放以集成到圆柱形电池中，原型电池将被表征为循环和安全性能，迭代和改进将根据需要进行，最后，原型电池将被整合到一个无人机准备包设计中，交付给无人机制造合作伙伴。如果成功完成这些任务，该项目将引导未来的研究工作朝着更加关注电解电池设计的方向发展。

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.