Transportation Storage

Project K is developing and commercializing a potassium-ion battery, which operates similarly to lithium-ion batteries. During discharge, potassium ions move from the negative graphite electrode through the electrolyte—a liquid combining organic solvents, dissolved conductive salts, and specialty additives—to the positive electrode, which contains a Prussian blue analog material synthesized from low-cost and abundant raw materials. Potassium ions can migrate through the electrolyte much faster than lithium ions.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will lead a team to assess the risks of next-generation cells from fundamental reaction kinetics to the full battery level. NREL will apply cutting-edge experimental and modeling techniques to build a comprehensive description of the failure mechanisms and risks of cells. NREL’s approach will leverage the capabilities of their partners to understand the thermal and chemical response of cells spatially and temporally to controlled abuse conditions.

South 8 Technologies will develop high-power lithium-ion battery cells with the capacity to charge rapidly using a novel liquefied gas (LiGas) electrolyte technology. The LiGas electrolyte uses non-toxic and non-corrosive gases, which are already domestically manufactured and widely available, that are liquefied under moderate pressures and can be contained in standard form-factor cylindrical cell cans. The technology has demonstrated excellent performance in conventional graphite/lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt-oxide cells and offers several opportunities for cost reduction.

24M Technologies will develop low-cost and fast-charging sodium metal EV batteries with good low-temperature performance. 24M’s cell design will incorporate (1) its ultra-thick SemiSolid cathode made up of cobalt-free and nickel-free sodium-based active materials, (2) a wide-temperature, fast-charging electrolyte developed using machine learning and automated high-throughput screening technology, and (3) a solid-state electrolyte-based separator to enable a high-energy density, anode-free configuration.

Ampcera will develop an all-climate thermally modulated solid-state battery (TMSSB) incorporating a thermally modulated cell technology (TMCT), developed by partner EC Power. “Heatable” solid-state batteries (SSBs) have the potential to provide disruptively high energy density and enable ultra-safe fast charging in EVs during cold weather, overcoming many of the consumer acceptance barriers hindering widespread adoption. Ampcera’s TMSSB combines a high-capacity silicon anode and a high-voltage, nickel-rich oxide-based cathode to enable a specific energy exceeding 400 Wh/kg.

Solid Power will develop high-energy, fast-charging, long-life, low-cost, and safe Li metal all-solid-state batteries (ASSB) for electric vehicles applications. Solid Power’s design includes a 3D-structured lithium (Li) metal anode and novel sulfur (S) composite cathode to enable such electric vehicle battery cells. Their advanced solid-state electrolyte will enable the Li metal anode and S cathode while overcoming the primary challenges for conventional lithium-sulfur chemistry.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) will develop fundamentally disruptive electric vehicle (EV) batteries that combine cobalt- and nickel-free cathodes, electrolytes that enable fast-charging and all-weather operation, and coal-derived, high-capacity anodes. The Virginia Tech team will use theoretical modeling and advanced materials and cell characterization techniques to guide the system-level integration of battery components.