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

该SBIR第一阶段项目旨在开发和展示基于纳米技术的新型液流电池，以满足2020年运输和固定存储的能源密度目标，并提供更便宜，更安全和环保的可充电储能流体，最终可以允许以与汽油动力发动机相同的方式将电池用于电动汽车（EV）。所提出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方便的可流动形式（纳米电燃料或NEF）。所提出的液流电池的低成本和高能量密度（高达350 Wh/L）使该技术与当前使用的锂离子电池具有高度竞争力（250 Wh/L），而可流动的形式能够在一个设备中充电液体，并在单独的设备中使用能量，为EV操作提供新的加油机会，特别是解决里程焦虑和长充电时间-目前阻碍电动汽车广泛采用的问题。从商业的角度来看，所提出的低成本高能量密度水液流电池的成功开发可以为个人和商业运输的电气化、电网水平化以及可再生能源与我们的个人能源使用的整合带来变革，以实现气候友好、环境和经济可持续的未来。高能量密度的可再充电液体，其特征在于在可泵送的低粘度水性纳米悬浮液（NEF）中的活性能量储存材料，将在全流动电池反应器（阶段I）中得到证明。实现具有高固体负载和低粘度的电活性悬浮液的挑战是通过改变纳米颗粒的表面化学和基于专利的表面改性方法来解决的，该表面改性方法能够使纳米颗粒在流体中具有高分散性，并且能够更有效地传输和存储电能。还提出了液流电池设计的创新，以利用这种新的能量存储格式实现有效的电池操作。在全流通电池中展示这种技术将大大降低这种转型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用途车（EUV，美国市场为13亿B）。对于相同的体积和每千瓦时低25%的价格，NEF电池提供约3倍的能量存储和通过活性材料（NEF）更换快速充电补充的额外能力。

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.