Fast-Charging, Wide-Temperature, Low-Cost, Durable Batteries Enabled by Cobalt- and Nickel-Free Cathodes and Cell Engineering
Project Innovation + Advantages:
Virginia Tech will develop fundamentally disruptive electric vehicle batteries using cobalt- and nickel-free cathodes, fast-charging and all-weather electrolytes, and coal-derived fast-charging and high-capacity anodes. The team will use theoretical modeling and advanced materials and cell characterization methods to guide the system-level integration of battery components. The technology’s use of earth-abundant, low-cost raw materials significantly mitigates supply chain risks. By eliminating the use of cobalt and nickel in cathodes, the cathode cost will be substantially reduced. Using a coal/carbon/silicon anode will resolve environmental issues of coal waste and can reduce anode cost to a significant degree compared with a graphite anode.