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Anode Electrolyte Nanocomposites as Alternative to Carbonaceous Anode Materials--nGimat Company, 5315 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Atlanta, GA  30341; 678-287-2402, www.ngimat.com

Dr. Richard Breitkopf, Principal Investigator, rbreitkopf@microcoating.com

Dr. Andrew Hunt, Business Official, ahunt@microcoating.com

DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-04ER84008

Amount:  $99,986  

In liquid-electrolyte lithium-ion battery systems, such as those being developed for electric and hybrid electric vehicles, the tin based anodes react with the lithium metal, causing the formation of a reaction layer that reduces the cycle life of the battery.  To this end, efforts to coat the anode and cathode with a non-reactive solid electrolyte within the liquid system, have yielded some improvements in cycling behavior; however, the vacuum equipment used in the coating process is cost prohibitive.  Solid electrolyte-anode nanocomposites could improve the charge transfer kinetics and rate capability by using an active material with smaller particle size and creating strong anode-electrolyte interfaces.  Therefore, this project will develop combustion synthesis methods for producing both anode and electrolyte materials in a single nanopowder composite materials structure.  In Phase I, a combinatorial approach will be employed for the rapid electrochemical screening of composition/material structures, in order to establish the appropriate structure-function relationships.  

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:  Enhancements in rechargeable battery performance, such as improved cycle life and energy density, should speed the introduction of lithium-ion batteries in hybrid electric vehicles, cell phones, and laptop computers.