Pellion Technologies Inc., an MIT spin-out company researching new magnesium-based energy storage systems has recently launched its website:
Pellion Technologies Inc.
The company is an early-stage company developing an innovative energy storage solution with the potential to deliver substantially lower cost and higher energy density than current lithium ion systems. Pellion, based in the Boston, MA area, is backed by top-tier venture capital and a recent award from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop next-generation batteries.
Jerry
Friday, 23 July 2010
AMSO4F: Fluorosulfates - New Active Materials for Advanced Battery Applications
Alkali metal fluorosulfate materials (AMSO4F, A = Li or Na; M = transition metal in oxidation state +2) are currently receiving significant attention as potentially valuable cathode active materials for advanced battery applications. The lithium-based materials all possess the triclinic, tavorite structure - so are isostructural with the lithium vanadium fluorophosphate phase, LiVPO4F.
Of particular note are the iron and manganese phases, LiFeSO4F and LiMnSO4F, which may represent important and new electroactive materials for Li-ion batteries. These materials offer a theoretical specific capacity of around 150 mAh/g (assuming the reversible cycling of 1 Li ion per formula unit). The Fe analog operates at around 3.5-3.6 V vs. Li - meaning that it generates a specific energy comparable with LiFePO4. When combined with its superior electronic conductivity, this performance suggests that LiFeSO4F could challenge the iron olivine, LiFePO4 as a low-cost active material for future large format Li-ion battery applications.
The challenges ahead will no doubt involve the development of a inexpensive and scalable synthesis method. Recent publications and presentations at the IMLB-2010 conference in Montreal suggest that the preparative approach adopted will be of critical importance in determining the electrochemical performance.
The use of these materials in energy storage applications is covered in the following US Patent application (US 2005/0163699 - Inventors: Jerry Barker and co-workers; Assignee: Valence Technology Inc.). The link to this patent application may be found here:
Fluorosulfate-based electrode active materials and methods of making the same
It should also be stressed that earlier US patent and US patent applications (involving the same inventors) also exist.
Jerry
Of particular note are the iron and manganese phases, LiFeSO4F and LiMnSO4F, which may represent important and new electroactive materials for Li-ion batteries. These materials offer a theoretical specific capacity of around 150 mAh/g (assuming the reversible cycling of 1 Li ion per formula unit). The Fe analog operates at around 3.5-3.6 V vs. Li - meaning that it generates a specific energy comparable with LiFePO4. When combined with its superior electronic conductivity, this performance suggests that LiFeSO4F could challenge the iron olivine, LiFePO4 as a low-cost active material for future large format Li-ion battery applications.
The challenges ahead will no doubt involve the development of a inexpensive and scalable synthesis method. Recent publications and presentations at the IMLB-2010 conference in Montreal suggest that the preparative approach adopted will be of critical importance in determining the electrochemical performance.
The use of these materials in energy storage applications is covered in the following US Patent application (US 2005/0163699 - Inventors: Jerry Barker and co-workers; Assignee: Valence Technology Inc.). The link to this patent application may be found here:
Fluorosulfate-based electrode active materials and methods of making the same
It should also be stressed that earlier US patent and US patent applications (involving the same inventors) also exist.
Jerry
Saturday, 22 May 2010
ARPA-E Program
Last month the U.S. Department of Energy announced it is awarding $106 million in federal funding through the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) for 37 ambitious research projects that could fundamentally change the way the US uses and produces energy. Within the Batteries for Electrical Energy Storage in Transportation (BEEST) sector there were some important awards.
The BEEST program seeks to create a portfolio of high-risk, high-reward R&D projects focused on developing ultra-high energy density, low cost battery technologies that is complimentary to the DOE Office of Vehicle Technologies’ (OVT) strong existing R&D portfolio in state-of-the-art Lithium-ion batteries. It is a high-risk, high reward strategy that will invest and support novel energy storage technologies.
More information on the objectives of BEEST may be found here:
The ARPA-E BEEST Program
Of particular interest to me are the awards given to Pellion Technologies Inc. and ReVolt Technology LLC.
Pellion Technologies is an MIT spin-out that will develop a low cost magnesium ion battery technology using high throughput computational methods in combination with accelerated material synthesis techniques.
ReVolt Technology will develop a novel large format Zn-air battery concept based on a closed loop system in which the zinc anode is suspended as a slurry within a storage tank.
Further information on these concepts and the other ARPA-E projects may be found here:
APRA-E - Recovery Act Funding
This blog will keep you posted on key developments within the ARPA-E program.
Jerry
The BEEST program seeks to create a portfolio of high-risk, high-reward R&D projects focused on developing ultra-high energy density, low cost battery technologies that is complimentary to the DOE Office of Vehicle Technologies’ (OVT) strong existing R&D portfolio in state-of-the-art Lithium-ion batteries. It is a high-risk, high reward strategy that will invest and support novel energy storage technologies.
More information on the objectives of BEEST may be found here:
The ARPA-E BEEST Program
Of particular interest to me are the awards given to Pellion Technologies Inc. and ReVolt Technology LLC.
Pellion Technologies is an MIT spin-out that will develop a low cost magnesium ion battery technology using high throughput computational methods in combination with accelerated material synthesis techniques.
ReVolt Technology will develop a novel large format Zn-air battery concept based on a closed loop system in which the zinc anode is suspended as a slurry within a storage tank.
Further information on these concepts and the other ARPA-E projects may be found here:
APRA-E - Recovery Act Funding
This blog will keep you posted on key developments within the ARPA-E program.
Jerry
Sunday, 25 April 2010
New LiVPO4F Paper: Confirms Excellent Li-ion Performance
A recent publication by M.V. Reddy and co-workers (NSU, Singapore) has confirmed the outstanding lithium insertion behavior of the lithium vanadium fluorophosphate phase, LiVPO4F.
The abstract for this study may be found here:
Long-term cycling studies on 4V cathode, lithium vanadium fluorophosphate
In particular, the long term cycle life (1260 cycles) and associated low capacity fade behavior indicate the acceptability of the LiVPO4F material for next generation Li-ion batteries. When this electrochemical performance is considered in combination with its outstanding thermal stability (see entry below - ARC measurements on the charged, de-lithiated LiVPO4F material by Jeff Dahn's group) it suggests strongly that this material could replace current cathode technology to enable the commercial production of low cost, high energy density and safe Li -ion batteries for next generation applications (for example, EV and PHEV).
In addition, the rate perforamnce indicates that LiVPO4F may alos be a candidate cathode material for high rate Li applications.
Jerry
The abstract for this study may be found here:
Long-term cycling studies on 4V cathode, lithium vanadium fluorophosphate
In particular, the long term cycle life (1260 cycles) and associated low capacity fade behavior indicate the acceptability of the LiVPO4F material for next generation Li-ion batteries. When this electrochemical performance is considered in combination with its outstanding thermal stability (see entry below - ARC measurements on the charged, de-lithiated LiVPO4F material by Jeff Dahn's group) it suggests strongly that this material could replace current cathode technology to enable the commercial production of low cost, high energy density and safe Li -ion batteries for next generation applications (for example, EV and PHEV).
In addition, the rate perforamnce indicates that LiVPO4F may alos be a candidate cathode material for high rate Li applications.
Jerry
Friday, 26 March 2010
Surion Energy Limited
Surion Energy - a new company developing electrode materials for next generation Li-ion batteries - has recently launched its new website. A link to the Surion site may be found here:
Surion Energy Limited
Surion Energy is located at the Culham Science Centre, close to Oxford in the UK. The company is attempting to exploit its proprietary Li2FeS2 cathode technology to meet the growing demand for large format Li-ion batteries for electric vehicle applications.
Jerry
Surion Energy Limited
Surion Energy is located at the Culham Science Centre, close to Oxford in the UK. The company is attempting to exploit its proprietary Li2FeS2 cathode technology to meet the growing demand for large format Li-ion batteries for electric vehicle applications.
Jerry
IMLB-2010
Jerry will be presenting at the up-coming 15th International Meeting on Lithium Batteries (IMLB-2010) to be held in Montreal, Canada during June 27 and July 2.
More information on this important conference may be found here:
15th International Meeting on Lithium Batteries (IMLB-2010)
Jerry
More information on this important conference may be found here:
15th International Meeting on Lithium Batteries (IMLB-2010)
Jerry
Friday, 12 February 2010
Li-ion Rechargeable Batteries: Novel Materials
The review article entitled 'Lithium-ion Rechargeable Batteries: Novel Materials' by Jerry Barker has now been published in the 'Encyclopedia of Materials: Science and Technology' (Elsevier, January 2010). The review gives an overview and summary of the present status of anode and cathode materials.
The abstract for the article may be found here:
Lithium-ion Rechargeable Batteries: Novel Materials
The encyclopedia contains several other articles in the energy storage sector that you may find useful.
Jerry
The abstract for the article may be found here:
Lithium-ion Rechargeable Batteries: Novel Materials
The encyclopedia contains several other articles in the energy storage sector that you may find useful.
Jerry
Li2FePO4F - A Fluorophosphate active material for Li-ion Applications
Following on from our previous discussions regarding the LiMPO4F (M = Fe, Mn, V, Cr etc.) and Li2MPO4F (M = Fe, Mn, Co, Ni etc.) active materials for Li-ion applications, a recent paper by Linda Nazar et al. describes the electrochemistry of the LiFePO4F- Li2FePO4F insertion system. The abstract to this manuscript may be found here:
Tavorite Lithium Iron Fluorophosphate Cathode Materials, ESL 13, A43, 2010
The use of these materials in Li-ion batteries is covered in several US patents and patent applications (inventors J. Barker and co-workers).
Jerry
Tavorite Lithium Iron Fluorophosphate Cathode Materials, ESL 13, A43, 2010
The use of these materials in Li-ion batteries is covered in several US patents and patent applications (inventors J. Barker and co-workers).
Jerry
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
LiV2O5 - An under-rated active material for Li-ion applications
Gamma-LiV2O5 may represent an inexpensive and safe cathode alternate to LiFePO4 for large format Li-ion applications. Preliminary analysis suggests that this active material should cost less than $20/kg to mass produce.
Further information may be found here:
Perfomance Evaluation of LiV2O5 - J. Barker et al. (2003)
In summary, the electrochemical evaluation of Gamma-LiV2O5 indicates that the active material is capable of cycling at a specific capacity of 130 mAh/g - a performance that compares favorably with the theoretical figure of 142 mAh/g. This material utilization corresponds to the reversible cycling of x = 0.92 in Gamma-LixV2O5 – a remarkably high charge efficiency. The average discharge voltage is around 3.4 V vs Li. High-resolution electrochemical evaluation indicates the lithium insertion reactions may be characterized in two separate but highly reversible processes.
The long-term electrochemical stability of the active material has been demonstrated clearly by lifetime cycling experiments in a graphite based Li-ion configuration. The cells show low first cycle charge inefficiency as well as demonstrating two hundred charge-discharge cycles with relatively low capacity fade behavior.
Jerry
Further information may be found here:
Perfomance Evaluation of LiV2O5 - J. Barker et al. (2003)
In summary, the electrochemical evaluation of Gamma-LiV2O5 indicates that the active material is capable of cycling at a specific capacity of 130 mAh/g - a performance that compares favorably with the theoretical figure of 142 mAh/g. This material utilization corresponds to the reversible cycling of x = 0.92 in Gamma-LixV2O5 – a remarkably high charge efficiency. The average discharge voltage is around 3.4 V vs Li. High-resolution electrochemical evaluation indicates the lithium insertion reactions may be characterized in two separate but highly reversible processes.
The long-term electrochemical stability of the active material has been demonstrated clearly by lifetime cycling experiments in a graphite based Li-ion configuration. The cells show low first cycle charge inefficiency as well as demonstrating two hundred charge-discharge cycles with relatively low capacity fade behavior.
Jerry
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
Lithium: The Key Resource
As we fast move towards an economy dominated by electric vehicles powered by Li-ion battery technology, the cost and abundance of lithium will become a major political and commercial issue. Some recent reports have questioned the long term viability of lithium.
A report by the Technology Review summarizes the latest position. The Review expects demand for the metal to double in the next 10 years, and Bolivia, with an untapped resource estimated at nine million tons by the U.S. Geological Survey, is being called a potential "Saudi Arabia of lithium."
More information (with great pictures) may be found here:
Companies involved in energy storage will need to continually adopt to these new market conditions, and the exploration of novel technologies not based on lithium will need to be examined.
Jerry
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