Fast-Charging, Wide-Temperature, Low-Cost, Durable Batteries Enabled by Cobalt- and Nickel-Free Cathodes and Cell Engineering

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Program:
EVs4ALL
Award:
$2,395,000
Location:
Blacksburg, Virginia
Status:
ACTIVE
Project Term:
06/20/2023 - 06/19/2026
Website:

Technology Description:

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. The synergistic integration of these novel materials and chemistries into batteries, together with techno-economic and environmental impact analyses, offer the potential to improve the affordability, convenience, reliability, and safety of EVs. The technology’s reliance on earth-abundant and low-cost raw materials significantly mitigates supply chain risks while cathode cost will be reduced by excluding cobalt and nickel. Finally, using a coal/carbon/silicon anode will partially alleviate environmental issues of coal waste and can reduce anode cost compared with a conventional graphite anode.

Potential Impact:

EVs4ALL’s primary objective is to increase the domestic adoption of new and used EVs by enabling safe, resilient, fast-charging batteries with improved performance at low temperatures.

Security:

Solutions will target the use of “noncritical” battery materials, while minimizing the use of cobalt and nickel. A reduced dependence on the importation of critical metals supports U.S. energy independence.

Environment:

80% adoption of EVs in the U.S. could reduce overall CO2 emissions by 800 million tons/year.

Economy:

80% adoption of EVs in the U.S. could reduce annual energy consumption by 4 quadrillion British Thermal Units.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Halle Cheeseman
Project Contact:
Dr. Feng Lin
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
fenglin@vt.edu

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Release Date:
05/03/2022