Battery Technology

Rechargeable lithium batteries have become very popular as power sources for consumer electronic devices, because of their high energy density (energy per unit weight or volume) relative to nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride batteries. Cellular telephones, digital cameras, camcorders, laptop computers, and other electronic devices all use lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries also are being developed for other uses, including energy storage devices for electric and hybrid electric vehicles, biomedicine, and space. As battery developers work to create better lithium-ion batteries, they are faced with numerous challenges such as safety, cost, and calendar life. Under its Electrochemical Technology Program Argonne is addressing these challenges.

Batteries for Transportation

Better high-power batteries are needed to level the load and recapture regenerative braking energy in the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and fuel cell electric vehicle systems that are being developed worldwide. Although a few production HEVs have been introduced into the automotive market, most auto companies are now entering the HEV market using Ni/MH batteries. High-power lithium-ion batteries offer the promise of higher efficiency, longer life, and easier state-of-charge control at lower weight, volume, and cost. They could replace Ni/MH batteries in the future, thereby expanding the market potential for HEVs.

As part of the FreedomCAR Partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. automobile manufacturers, Argonne and four other DOE laboratories are conducting research and development to help industrial battery developers lower cost and increase the lifetime and safety of high-power lithium-ion HEV batteries.

Our approach is to develop more stable cell components and chemistries that use lower-cost materials, and then to establish their performance, life, and safety characteristics. Sophisticated diagnostic tools and methods are used to identify the main factors that control battery life and safety. The results help us to identify more optimal materials and cell chemistries—information we share with industrial battery developers.

Recent discoveries at Argonne, in the areas of electrode materials and electrolytes, show great promise in providing the improvements needed for vehicle applications.

Batteries for Specialty Uses

Argonne’s research also is producing novel cell chemistries for specialty battery applications. A tiny, rechargeable battery (manufactured by Quallion, LLC) powers an implantable microstimulator, like the one shown at left, that could help millions who suffer from a variety of neurological disorders, such as urinary urge incontinence. The key to the battery's success is an advanced lithium-ion cell chemistry that provides calendar life and safety characteristics that are superior to those found in commercially available lithium batteries. Argonne has been working with Quallion and the University of Wisconsin to develop advanced battery chemistries for multiple applications of the microstimulator. The microstimulator won a 2005 R&D 100 Award.

With other industrial research partners, Argonne researchers are developing new battery chemistries for high-energy long-life rechargeable lithium polymer and lithium-ion batteries for military and space applications.

Battery Testing and Analysis

Argonne also operates a well equipped and versatile laboratory for testing batteries. The Electrochemical Analysis and Diagnostics Laboratory was established by the DOE (Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies) to provide independent evaluations of advanced battery systems for applications such as electric and hybrid electric vehicles, and stationary energy storage. This facility has been cited as a valuable resource by battery users, developers, and DOE program managers, who must evaluate and make choices regarding competing battery technologies and research directions.

Publications, Presentations, and Patents

Staff

Argonne's Transportation Technology R&D Center

For More Information

Gary Henriksen, Head
Battery Technology Department
Chemical Engineering Division
Argonne National Laboratory
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, IL 60439
phone: 630-252-4591
fax 630-252-4176
henriksen@cmt.anl.gov

For more information

Licensing

Argonne has an extensive patent portfolio. While much of Argonne's long-term research focuses on larger batteries (e.g., hybrid electric vehicles), program results are finding applications in products such as medical devices and portable electronics.

For licensing information, contact Argonne's Office of Technology Transfer.

R&D Focus Areas

Cathodes

Higher capacity (up to 270 mAh/g), with high voltage caompatibility and greater stability
Increased current capability and enhanced stability at lower cost

Anodes

Higher capacity (up to 2000 mAh/mL)
Materials that are safer than graphite and have longer life
Improved stability

Electrolytes

Polymeric electrolytes that have high ionic conductivity, enhanced safety, larger cell capacity and improved voltage stability
Additives that provide reduced gas generation and first-cycle capacity loss plus longer life and enhanced safety

Safety

Advanced additives that form stable electrode-electrolyte interfaces and suppress electrolyte flammability
Advanced electrolyte additives that provide overcharge tolerance via redox shuttle reactions

Lithium-Ion Battery Research (Overview Fact Sheet, .pdf 72 kb)

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