{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":94039,"title":"Novel Solid Polymer Nanocomposite Electrolyte to Enable Lithium Metal Safely Cycling for Next Generation High Energy Battery","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10601,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10600,"level":3,"code":"TX03.2.1","title":"Electrochemical: Batteries","definition":"Batteries store and convert chemical energy to electricity.","exampleTechnologies":"High-specific-energy, human-rated advanced secondary chemistries beyond lithium-ion, nanoelectronics, super/ultracapacitors, extreme environment energy storage, flow batteries","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":2,"currentTrl":3,"endTrl":3,"benefits":"
This innovation is very promising for developing advanced battery with both high energy and safety to meet energy requirements of NASA future missions. NASA's future HEOMD, SMD, and ARMD missions demand safe and high energy density batteries. NASA's Space Power and Energy Storage Road Map identifies the need for 2-3x higher energy density than currently available. Current LIB energy density (<250 Wh/Kg) is not sufficient for the next generation of electrochemical energy storage needs (>400 Wh/kg). Lithium metal based advanced battery chemistries are envisioned to be mission enhancing and mission enabling for future space and aeronautic applications. Technological advancement in energy storage will lead to smaller, lighter and higher energy storage systems that are needed for aerospace/space applications. Safety and reliability will become a large concern as the system energy storage increases. Risk for fire and explosion increases as the energy capacity increases. The failure modes and mitigations for hazards associated with these failures will also change and evolve.
","description":"NASA future missions demand safe, high specific energy (>400 Wh/kg) batteries. Current state-of-the-art (SOA) lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) can only provide ~150-200 Wh/kg in energy capacity, which is unable to meet NASA's future energy goals, and also pose safety issues due to the use of liquid flammable electrolyte. There are intense on-going development activities to increase battery energy density. Among the promising next generation high energy battery chemistries are lithium/sulfur (Li/S) and lithium oxygen (Li/O2), in which lithium metal is used as the common anode. The use of Li metal as an anode material has emerged as one highly attractive option for achieving high-energy, next generation batteries. This is because Li has many advantages. It is the lightest metal, but also has the highest theoretical capacity (3876 mAh/g). It also has the lowest potential (0V), which boosts whole cell voltage, and Li metal is 100% active material and requires no binder. Thus, Li metal is an ideal anode material for high energy battery chemistries. However, the reliable use of this exceptionally high capacity anode in a commercial rechargeable battery has not been achieved due to safety and reliability concerns resulting from thermal runaway and short-circuit issues due to dendritic growth on the Li metal anode from lithium plating during charge-discharge cycles. The solid polymer nanocomposite electrolyte (SPNE) has been identified as a promising option to address lithium metal cycling safety. The SPNE is non-flammable and, by replacing the liquid flammable electrolyte, it eliminates leakage and fire hazard, in addition, it provides flexibility of design. This proposed solid polymer nanocomposite electrolyte addresses the challenges of achieving both high energy and safety for next generation battery. However, the SPNE technology must be developed to possess high conductivity, and thermal and mechanical properties conducive to robust Li metal cycling safely. The goal is to maximize ionic conductivity, thermal and mechanical properties of the solid polymer nanocomposite electrolyte (SNPE) film by optimizing compositions, and identify the maximum current density for depressing Li dendrites for safe Li cycling.
","destinations":[{"lkuCodeId":1544,"code":"MOON_AND_CISLUNAR","description":"Moon and Cislunar","lkuCodeTypeId":526,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"DESTINATION_TYPE","description":"Destination Type"}},{"lkuCodeId":1543,"code":"EARTH","description":"Earth","lkuCodeTypeId":526,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"DESTINATION_TYPE","description":"Destination Type"}},{"lkuCodeId":1518,"code":"MARS","description":"Mars","lkuCodeTypeId":526,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"DESTINATION_TYPE","description":"Destination Type"}}],"startYear":2017,"startMonth":10,"endYear":2018,"endMonth":9,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":201580,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"James","lastName":"Wu","fullName":"James J Wu","fullNameInverted":"Wu, James J","middleInitial":"J","primaryEmail":"james.j.wu@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":335305,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Michael","lastName":"Lapointe","fullName":"Michael R Lapointe","fullNameInverted":"Lapointe, Michael R","middleInitial":"R","primaryEmail":"michael.r.lapointe@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":392233,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Richard","lastName":"Howard","fullName":"Richard W Howard","fullNameInverted":"Howard, Richard W","middleInitial":"W","primaryEmail":"richard.w.howard@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":280583,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Kurt","lastName":"Sacksteder","fullName":"Kurt R Sacksteder","fullNameInverted":"Sacksteder, Kurt R","middleInitial":"R","primaryEmail":"partialg@gmail.cpm","publicEmail":false,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":159449,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Gary","lastName":"Horsham","fullName":"Gary A Horsham","fullNameInverted":"Horsham, Gary A","middleInitial":"A","primaryEmail":"gary.a.horsham@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/innovation_fund/index.html#.VQb6gUjJzyE","libraryItems":[],"transitions":[{"transitionId":54245,"projectId":94039,"transitionDate":"2018-09-01","path":"Closed Out","details":"This project proved that this novel solid polymer nanocomposite (SPNE) has improved ionic conductivity which is equivalent and similar to liquid electrolyte and enables Li metal to safely cycle. It can carry current density up to 20 mA/cm2 and extend to high temperature (up to 300 C). The current maturity is TRL 3. The primary goal of the project was to maximize ionic conductivity, and further minimize interfacial resistance and widen the electrochemical voltage window by optimizing components and formulations.","infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"","dateText":"September 2018"},{"transitionId":54244,"projectId":94039,"partner":"Other","transitionDate":"2018-10-01","path":"Advanced To","relatedProjectId":95541,"relatedProject":{"acronym":"","projectId":95541,"title":"Safe and Reliable Li-Metal Anode Technology to Enable Next Generation High Energy Battery","startTrl":1,"currentTrl":2,"endTrl":2,"benefits":"Goal: To make Li metal anode cycle safely by pre-forming a stable and uniform solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on Li metal surface to restrain both Li dendrite growth and other unfavorable reactions\\nCapability Need/Knowledge Gap: During the Li plating process at charge stage, the SEI layer is broken, and Li dendrites are generated at the sites with high local current density. The freshly formed Li and/or Li dendrite generates new SEI layer during cycling. The repeated breakage and repair of the SEI layers consumes both Li metal and electrolyte, resulting in the dry up of electrolyte and reduces the cycle life. \\nState-of-the-Art/Knowledge: Rechargeable Li metal batteries have not been achieved yet because of the uneven stripping/plating of Li metal and the side reaction between Li metal and electrolyte.
","description":"Key Technical Challenges: Development of a thin and robust SEI layer with high Li-ion transport and mechanical strength on Li metal surface.\\nApproach/Research Plan: Design, screen candidates as pre-formed SEI layer; Evaluate, optimize the composition and thickness; Conduct the cycling and identify max current; Integrate water-based electrolyte for full cell design; and, Incorporate into Li-metal based battery chemistries.\\nDifferent/Complementary: Using pre-formed SEI on Li metal to address Li metal cyclic-ability and water-based electrolyte to replace the flammable organic carbonates.\\nNext Step: Incorporation of a high concentration Li-salt in electrolyte to improve Li+ transport properties/ transference number for high/ultrahigh current cycling\\n\\n
","destinations":[{"lkuCodeId":1543,"code":"EARTH","description":"Earth","lkuCodeTypeId":526,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"DESTINATION_TYPE","description":"Destination Type"}}],"startYear":2018,"startMonth":10,"endYear":2019,"endMonth":9,"statusDescription":"Completed","website":"https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/innovation_fund/index.html#.VQb6gUjJzyE","program":{"acronym":"GRC CIF","active":true,"description":"Tthe goal of the Center Innovation Fund is to stimulate and encourage creativity and innovation in addressing the technology needs of NASA and the Nation. The GRC Center Innovation Fund is intended to provide GRC Civil Servants, potentially partnering with external organizations and other NASA Centers, with the opportunity to develop new ideas toward this goal, and to pursue their intellectual growth in areas that are deemed to be of strategic importance to the Center. The projects are high payback, highly innovative research proposals that could significantly impact future GRC programs.
","parentProgram":{"acronym":"CIF","active":true,"description":"
Through the Center Innovation Fund, the Space Technology Mission Directorate allocates a small portion of the NASA workforce and procurement budget to internal research and development to feed early stage innovation in technology and exploration. Activities with in the Center Innovation Fund are proposed and led by NASA scientists and engineers. These activities and creative initiatives pursue emerging technologies that leverage talent and capabilities at the NASA Centers.
","programId":64,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36643,"title":"Center Innovation Fund"},"parentProgramId":64,"programId":162,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36645,"title":"Center Innovation Fund: GRC CIF"},"lastUpdated":"2023-5-25","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":248,"endDateString":"Sep 2019","startDateString":"Oct 2018"},"infoText":"Advanced within the program","infoTextExtra":"Another project within the program (Safe and Reliable Li-Metal Anode Technology to Enable Next Generation High Energy Battery)","dateText":"October 2018"}],"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"GRC CIF","active":true,"description":"
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","parentProgram":{"acronym":"CIF","active":true,"description":"
Through the Center Innovation Fund, the Space Technology Mission Directorate allocates a small portion of the NASA workforce and procurement budget to internal research and development to feed early stage innovation in technology and exploration. Activities with in the Center Innovation Fund are proposed and led by NASA scientists and engineers. These activities and creative initiatives pursue emerging technologies that leverage talent and capabilities at the NASA Centers.
","programId":64,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36643,"title":"Center Innovation Fund"},"parentProgramId":64,"programId":162,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36645,"title":"Center Innovation Fund: GRC CIF"},"leadOrganization":{"acronym":"GRC","canUserEdit":false,"city":"Cleveland","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4860,"organizationName":"Glenn Research Center","organizationType":"NASA_Center","stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"OH","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Ohio","stateTerritoryId":23},"stateTerritoryId":23,"naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Center"},"statesWithWork":[{"abbreviation":"OH","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Ohio","stateTerritoryId":23}],"lastUpdated":"2023-5-25","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":611,"endDateString":"Sep 2018","startDateString":"Oct 2017"}}