Advanced Thermo-Adsorptive Battery
Technology Description:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is developing a low-cost, compact, high-capacity, advanced thermo-adsorptive battery (ATB) for effective climate control of EVs. The ATB provides both heating and cooling by taking advantage of the materials' ability to adsorb a significant amount of water. This efficient battery system design could offer up as much as a 30% increase in driving range compared to current EV climate control technology. The ATB provides high-capacity thermal storage with little-to-no electrical power consumption. MIT is also looking to explore the possibility of shifting peak electricity loads for cooling and heating in a variety of other applications, including commercial and residential buildings, data centers, and telecom facilities.
Potential Impact:
If successful, MIT's ATB technology has the potential to transform on-demand cooling and heating in EVs, while increasing their driving range up to 30% relative to today's best cabin climate control technology.
Security:
Increased use of EVs would decrease U.S. dependence on foreign oil—the transportation sector is the dominant source of this dependence.
Environment:
Greater use of EVs would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, 28% of which come from the transportation sector.
Economy:
This technology would increase the marketability of EVs—helping spur growth in the automobile industry.
Contact
ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Eric Rohlfing
Project Contact:
Dr. Evelyn N. Wang
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
enwang@mit.edu
Partners
Ford Motor Company
Northeastern University
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Texas, Austin
Related Projects
Release Date:
04/20/2011