Long-Life, Acid-Based Battery

Default ARPA-E Project Image

Program:
RANGE
Award:
$1,107,005
Location:
Los Angeles, California
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
09/29/2016 - 09/28/2017
Website:

Technology Description:

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is developing a new high-power, long-life, acid-based battery that addresses the cycle life issues associated with lead-acid batteries today. Lead-acid batteries are used extensively in gasoline-powered vehicles and even modern electric vehicles for initial ignition, but inevitably wear out after a limited number of complete discharge cycles. To solve this problem, UCLA will incorporate novel, newly-discovered material that allows the battery to store a greater electrical charge using a conventional battery design. This new battery would provide up to 500 times more charge and discharge cycles and up to 10 times the power of existing lead-acid batteries. UCLA’s batteries will be compatible with comparable manufacturing processes for current lead-acid batteries, allowing for rapid, low-cost commercialization.

Potential Impact:

If successful, UCLA’s battery could be combined with longer-range electric vehicle batteries to create a hybrid system that provides the power necessary for immediate response and acceleration, and the longevity needed for vehicle start/stop technology.

Security:

This technology could produce a high-power battery that improves the capabilities of EVs, enabling the mass adoption of EVs and dramatically reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

Environment:

Greater use of EVs would reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, 28% of which come from the transportation sector.

Economy:

Technological advancements from the RANGE program could enable EVs to travel significantly further on a single charge at a much lower cost than that of current EVs and conventional vehicles.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Grigorii Soloveichik
Project Contact:
Yunfeng Lu
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
luucla@g.ucla.edu

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Release Date:
02/15/2013