SBIR-STTR Award

An Advanced Cathode for Li-ion Batteries
Award last edited on: 6/6/2013

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOE
Total Award Amount
$849,160
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
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Principal Investigator
Gilbert N Riley

Company Information

A123 Systems Inc

200 West Street
Watertown, MA 02451
   (617) 778-5700
   contact_us@a123systems.com
   www.a123systems.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 05
County: Middlesex

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2002
Phase I Amount
$100,000
Currently available Li-ion batteries do not meet Department of Energy targets for electric vehicle (EV) or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) applications. The specific problem is that currently available cathode materials do not allow the specific energy and power density targets to be achieved while simultaneously being low cost, safe under abusive conditions, and environmentally benign. This project will develop electronically conductive lithium cathode materials, which have low raw materials and manufacturing costs, high energy and power density, and are environmentally benign and electrochemically stable. These materials are expected to be the first low-cost Li cathode materials to exhibit high electronic conductivity at room temperature. Phase I will synthesize and characterize the lithium materials with high electronic conductivity in the complete absence of conductive additives. Novel particle morphologies, consisting of nanoscale primary crystallites in partially-sintered aggregate particles, will be used to optimize power density.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:
In lithium ion battery cathode applications, the high electronic conductivity coupled with tailored particle design should allow near-theoretical energy densities to be achieved at high power densities and operating conditions relevant to EV and HEV technology

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
2003
Phase II Amount
$749,160
Currently available Li-ion batteries do not meet Department of Energy targets for electric vehicle (EV) or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) applications. The problem is that today's cathode materials do not allow the specific energy and power density targets to be achieved while simultaneously being low cost, safe under abusive conditions, and environmentally benign. This project will develop electronically conductive lithium cathode materials, which have low raw- materials and manufacturing costs, high energy and power densities, and are electrochemically stable under extreme conditions, and environmentally benign. In Phase I, compositions and synthesis procedures were developed for a class of doped, lithium-transition-metal-phosphate cathodes having electronic conductivities exceeding 10-3 S/cm at room temperature as well as novel nanoparticulate morphologies enabling high utilization at high rates. Cathodes of conventional formulations were fabricated and tested, and exhibited high charge capacities of 155 mAh/g at low rates (C/5) while also retaining capacities as high as 75 mAh/g for 50C rate deep discharge. These properties suggest exceptional continuous discharge and pulse-power capabilities in full cells. In Phase II, a pilot-scale process will be developed for cathodes that can meet DOE cost targets in full-scale production. Cells with greater than 0.2Ah capacity will be developed using these cathodes. Pulse-power, cycle life, and accelerated-calendar-life tests will be conducted according to DOE protocols.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:
The new cathode material should allow for the development of high power density, low cost batteries that are safe at larger cell sizes. Potential applications include the growing HEV market, future fuel cell hybrids, and backup power systems.