Solid-state Electrolyte Membranes for Next Generation Sodium Batteries

向可持续能源系统的过渡正在导致全球能源市场上可再生能源的数量迅速增加。加拿大自然资源部将风能和光伏等可再生能源确定为加拿大增长最快的电力来源。然而，这些技术面临的挑战是，阳光和风能是间歇性的，这使得它们对于稳定的能源供应来说不可靠。最大限度地发挥这些可再生能源潜力的关键是通过能量转换和储存，这允许重新平衡可再生能源的波动电力负荷，以实现电网稳定和离网利用。电池由于其低维护、无污染运行、高效率、灵活的能量获取时间以及满足不同循环寿命规格和电网功能的功率特性而非常适合于能量存储。电池技术的突破不仅会改变电力行业，还会彻底改变交通和消费电子行业。Thangadurai集团和Geometric Energy Corporation之间的合作旨在开发一种非爆炸性，无毒，不易燃的固态钠离子电池，具有商业竞争力的商业案例，用于电网规模的电池存储，消费电子产品和危险场所的能量存储。这项研究响应了使用可持续的地球丰富和地球友好型材料的呼吁，利用了高度丰富的元素Na，而不是Li。使用固体电解质，而不是易燃的液体电解质，有望提高电池技术的稳定性和安全性。该项目的重点是开发单一材料或混合固体电解质，以支持下一代固态钠离子电池。

The transition towards a sustainable energy system is leading to a rapidly increasing number of renewable energy sources in global energy markets. Natural Resources Canada identifies renewable energy sources such as wind and photovoltaic energy as the fastest growing sources of electricity in Canada. The challenge in these technologies, however, is that sunlight and wind occur intermittently, making them unreliable for steady energy supply. The key to maximizing the potential of these renewable power sources is through energy conversion and storage, which allows for re-equilibrating fluctuating power loads from renewable energy sources for grid stabilization and off-grid utilization. Batteries are ideally suited for energy storage due to their low maintenance, pollution-free operation, high efficiency, flexible timing of energy access, and power characteristics which meet different cycle life specification and grid functions. Breakthroughs in battery technology would not only transform the power sector but revolutionize the transportation and consumer electronics sectors. The collaboration between the Thangadurai Group and Geometric Energy Corporation aims to develop a non-explosive, non-toxic, non-flammable solid-state sodium-ion battery with a commercially competitive business case for applications in grid-scale battery storage, consumer electronics, and hazardous location energy storage. This research answers the call of using sustainable Earth-abundant and Earth-friendly materials by utilizing a highly abundant element Na, instead of Li. Using a solid electrolyte, as opposed to a flammable liquid electrolyte, promises to improve the stability and thus the safety of battery technology. The highlight of the project is the development of single material or hybrid solid electrolytes to support the next generation solid-state sodium-ion battery.