SBIR Phase I: Rechargeable Zn Metal Battery with Long Life and Low Cost

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是探索用于大规模储能的可充电锌金属电池的转化。可再生但断断续续的能源需要具有成本效益的存储。拟议的电池基本上将一次碱性电池转变为具有新化学成分的可充电形式。该项目将展示锌金属电池在数据中心备用电源、电网级别需求和家庭储能使用等应用条件下的长循环寿命。这个SBIR第一阶段项目计划开发锌金属电池，使之符合电池配置和电池尺寸的使用要求。该项目旨在翻译锌盐基水盐电解液的基本认识，该电解液和锌金属阳极的水分子都是惰性的。建议的技术提供了稳定的循环寿命，并在适当的占地面积内提供了出色的功率输出。该项目将推动新电解液的开发，极大地缓解析氢反应，并消除锌金属阳极上的树枝晶形成。新的电解液解决了阳极和阴极的挑战，阴极容量衰减的问题将得到解决。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is to explore translation of a rechargeable zinc-metal battery for large-scale energy storage. Renewable but intermittent energy sources require cost-effective storage. The proposed battery essentially converts a primary alkaline battery to a rechargeable form with novel chemical components. This project will demonstrate the long cycle life of zinc-metal batteries under conditions amenable for applications such as backup power for data centers, grid-level needs, and household energy storage use. This SBIR Phase I project proposes to develop Zn-metal batteries in use-inspired battery configurations and cell dimensions. This project is to translate the fundamental understanding of Zinc-salt-based water-in-salt electrolytes that strengthen the inertness of both water molecules of the electrolytes and Zn metal anode. The proposed technology offers stable cycle life with excellent power output in an appropriate footprint. The project will advance the development of new electrolytes that greatly mitigate the hydrogen evolution reaction and eliminate dendrite formation on the Zn metal anode. The new electrolytes address the challenges of both anode and cathode, where the cathode capacity fading issues will be addressed.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.