LITHIUM ION BATTERY

Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used for portable electronics and electric vehicles and are growing in popularity for military and aerospace applications.

In the battery cell, lithium ions move from the negative electrode through an electrolyte to the positive electrode during discharge, and back when charging. Li-ion batteries use an intercalated lithium compound as the material at the positive electrode and typically graphite at the negative electrode.

Our research team has been focusing on extending lifetime, increasing energy density, and increasing charging speed of battery technologies

We have developed patented technologies enabling ultra-fast charging of the 100 kW lithium ion battery pack in our electric vehicle to be charged over 45 minutes, as compared to 3 hours by conventional fast charging stations. >

The Lithium Ion battery (LIB) technology is predicted to reach an asymptotic limit in specific energy of 250 W h kg −1 . This is a hundred times less energy dense than gasoline.

Gasoline-powered engines have fuel efficiencies of upwards of 30 miles per gallon. A typical sedan gasoline car with 18 gallon tank can travel up to 500 miles range, doubling that of the average electric car. Therefore, it is imperative to look elsewhere for a solution.

In search for battery technologies that one day could replace LIBs, our researchers have been working on Lithium Air batteries since 2011. We have formed a strategic partnership with Lithium Air Industries, LLC (www.lithiumair.us) to further develop Lithium Air and bring the new battery technology to the market.

The lithium–air battery (Li–air) is a metal–air electrochemical cell or battery chemistry that uses oxidation of lithium at the anode and reduction of oxygen at the cathode to induce a current flow.

For more information on the development of Lithium Air battery technology, please visit the webpages.

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