CAMX Power LLC — Department of Energy SBIR Phase II: 13a

Description

Broad commercialization and adoption of electric drive vehicles (EVs) that meet the market requirements for driving range necessitates development of electrochemical storage technologies that can deliver high energy density while providing requisite power, cycle life and calendar life at a low cost.Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are the current technology of choice for both consumer electronics and emerging EVs.However, the highest energy density Li-ion cells currently used for commercial portable power applications are still well over 100 $/kWh in cost.On a $/kWh basis, Li-ion costs are more greatly driven by cathode materials than by any other component, and therefore lower cost, high-performance next generation cathode materials are needed to provide higher energy density, lower cost Li-ion cells.CAMX Power is developing a novel low-cost, high voltage Li-ion cathode chemistry with long cycle life.This novel chemistry produced via a low-cost manufacturing process, enables Li-ion electric drive vehicle batteries that are lower cost and higher energy density.CAMX Power will resolve historical challenges of high voltage cathodes by developing an inexpensive manufacturing process, developing protective coatings based on ionically and electronically conducting materials to boost high temperature cycle life, and by developing electrolyte formulations that are stable for high voltage operation.In Phase I, we demonstrated a pathway for low-cost production of LNMO cathodes.We also explored different techniques for coating the material with protective layers and demonstrated electrochemical performance of coated materials relative to uncoated controls.Materials were evaluated with a range of different electrolytes and tested in small pouch cells opposite a graphite and LTO anodes for both room temperature and high temperature cycle life.CAMX Power low-cost, high voltage spinel cathode material technology will enable achievement of DOE’s energy and power goals for future EV batteries.Our high voltage cathode technology will enable use of fewer cells in EVs as well as circumvent the challenges associated with limitations in cobalt availability while achieving the lower costs that are required for widespread EV adoption.