Task Descriptions

The six primary BATT Program task areas are: (1) Cell Development, (2) Anodes, (3) Electrolytes, (4) Cathodes, (5) Diagnostics, and (6) Modeling. Task 1 comprises cell fabrication, testing and characterization , Tasks 2-4 are aimed at identifying new materials, and Tasks 5-6 support all BATT Program work. Brief summary descriptions of each task follow.

1. The Cell Development task focuses on three "baseline" low-cost rechargeable lithium cell chemistries:

(a) Gr/LiPF6+EC:DEC/LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2, which is particularly suited for high-energy applications.

(b) Gr/LiPF6+EC:DEC/LiFePO4, which can be designed for either high-energy or high-power applications.
(c) Gr/LiBOB+gamma-BL:EA/LiMn2O4, which is particularly suited for high-power applications.

A web page provides links to BATT cell test data.

2. Anodes The goals of this task are to carry out exploratory research on non-carbonaceous anode materials. Present-day Li-ion batteries employ various forms of carbon as their anode materials, and these batteries suffer from safety, cycle life, and storage-life problems. Therefore, this task is focused on non-carbonaceous anodes as possible alternatives. Low-cost metal alloys and oxides with acceptable capacity, rate, cyclability, and calendar life are under investigation.

3. Electrolytes BATT Program polymer electrolyte research is focused on designing and developing new electrolytes, understanding polymer electrolyte performance characteristics by detailed studies of electrolyte properties, and characterization of interactions at electrode/electrolyte interfaces.

4. Cathodes The identification and development of novel cathodes are critical because of the fundamental cost and environmental limitations of CoO₂ and VO_x materials used in present-day rechargeable Li batteries. An important goal of this effort is to develop a high-rate and stable Mn-based cathode. Although Mn is a low-cost constituent, Mn-based cathodes tend to lose capacity at unacceptable rates. Research is directed at understanding the reasons for the capacity fade and developing methods to stabilize this material, as well as the evaluation of novel forms of Mn-based cathodes.

5. Diagnostics Advanced diagnostics are essential to investigate life-limiting and performance-limiting processes in batteries. Powerful analytic methods are used to characterize materials and cell components provided by the four BATT Program areas listed above, and BATT Program diagnostic investigators employ post-test analyses and advanced spectroscopic and microscopic techniques for investigating the morphology, structure, and composition changes of electrode materials that accompany cell cycling.

6. Modeling Sophisticated mathematical modeling is required to support BATT Program Tasks 1-5. This effort brings physical understanding to complex interactions through the development of comprehensive phenomenological models.

BATT Program Inquiries

Contact Venkat Srinivasan for further information about the BATT Program