Nanomaterials-Based
Electrodes for Fast Discharge and Charge Rate Energy Storage Devices--Nanopowder
Enterprises, Inc., 201 Circle Drive, Suite 102/103, Piscataway, NJ
08854-3900; 732-868-1906, www.nanopowderenterprises.com
Dr. Amit Singhal, Principal Investigator, amitsinghal@nanpowderenterprises.com
Dr.
Gary S. Tompa, Business Official,
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-02ER83519
Amount:
$750,000
Advanced electrochemical devices with high power density and fast
charge rate capability (less than 10 minutes) are needed for hybrid electric
vehicles. Existing electrode
materials and battery configurations are not capable of providing the necessary
performance at low cost. This
project will develop a new class of nanostructured tungsten oxide anodes with
high electrical conductivity, and implement one of these anodes in an asymmetric
hybrid energy storage device. This
device, which also will include a carbon cathode and a non-aqueous electrolyte,
will have high rate capabilities with a discharge time as small as 3 minutes,
and a charge time as small as 6 minutes for a long cycle life (> 1000).
In Phase I, nanostructured anode materials, with a structure and
morphology that are ideally suited for obtaining high performance electrode
tapes, were synthesized using the cheapest available chemical precursor.
It was shown that the electrochemical properties can be greatly enhanced
by reducing the crystallite size of anode materials.
Phase II will fabricate prototype cells consisting of anodes made of
nanocomposite powders with an optimized structure and composition.
The prototype cells will be assembled in 18-39 V modules to evaluate
their performance in a battery configuration.
Processing methods will be developed for producing large anode tapes with
the nanocomposite powders.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits
as described by awardee: Asymmetric
hybrid energy storage devices utilizing nanostructured tungsten oxide anodes
should satisfy the emerging needs of propulsion systems for hybrid electric
vehicles (HEVs), where both fast discharge and charge rates are desired. These
batteries also should be well suited for other commercial applications, such as
power tools and uninterrupted power supplies.