| Project Detail |
The University of Houston will develop a battery that will match the energy and power densities of lithium-based batteries while excluding lithium, nickel, and cobalt. The proposed battery will substitute lithium-based anodes with energy-dense and abundant magnesium, of which the U.S. has virtually unlimited reserves. Organic materials obtained from oil refineries and biorefineries will replace conventional cathodes based on transition metals, thereby eliminating any requirement for nickel or cobalt. The team’s recent technology breakthroughs have overcome the energy and power bottlenecks that have traditionally plagued magnesium batteries, resulting in material-level energy densities of up to 579 Wh/kg and fast charging-discharging capability at 20 C rate. The proposed project will advance the technology on multiple fronts, including electrode material and electrolyte optimization, cycle life extension, practical cell design, and scale-up of material production and cell fabrication.
Potential Impact:
If successful, the proposed technology will shift the resource-intensive high-energy battery industry to a more sustainable one. |
