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Enhancing Grid-Scale Battery Sustainability by Software Engineering and Recycling
Dr. Ju Li, Tokyo Electric Power Company Professor of Nuclear Engineering and Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Grid-scale battery storage is finally economical, with the cost of LiFePO4//graphite cells approaching 50 USD/kWh in 2024. I will introduce recent efforts in predicting the residual useful life of batteries by deep neural network [Applied Energy 306 (2022) 118134], and for uncertain operation conditions [Energy Storage Materials 50 (2022) 139]. I will also introduce recent advances in the direct recycling of LiFePO4 cathode black mass, which is deemed to be a key technology for enabling deep penetration of battery storage at global scale [“Key Challenges for Grid-Scale Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage,” Advanced Energy Materials 12 (2022) 2202197].
All Solid-State Battery - A Status Update
Dr. Y. Shirley Meng, Professor of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, and Chief Scientist of the Argonne Collaborative Center for Energy Storage Science, Argonne National Laboratory
Compared with their liquid-electrolyte analogues, Solid state electrolytes SSEs have drawn increased attention as they promote battery safety, exhibit a wide operational temperature window, and improve energy density by enabling Li metal as anode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. Despite suitable mechanical properties to prevent Li dendrite penetration, relatively wide electrochemical stability windows, comparable ionic conductivities, and intrinsic safety, most SSEs are found to be thermodynamically unstable against Li metal, where SSE decomposition produces a complex interphase, analogous to the SEI formed in liquid electrolyte systems. An ideal passivation layer should consist of ionically conductive but electronically insulating components to prevent the SSE from being further reduced. The past four decades have witnessed intensive research efforts on the chemistry, structure, and morphology of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) in Li-metal and Li-ion batteries (LIBs) using liquid or polymer electrolytes, since the SEI is considered to predominantly influence the performance, safety and cycle life of batteries. All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) have been promoted as a highly promising energy storage technology due to the prospects of improved safety and a wider operating temperature range compared to their conventional liquid electrolyte-based counterparts. While solid electrolytes with ionic conductivities comparable to liquid electrolytes have been discovered, fabricating solid-state full cells with high areal capacities that can cycle at reasonable current densities remains a principal challenge. Silicon anode offers a possibility to overcome the challenges that lithium metal anode faces. In this talk, we will highlight solutions to these existing challenges and several directions for future work are proposed.
Electrolytes, Interfaces and Interphases, and AI-driven Electrolyte Discovery
Dr. Kang Xu, CTO & Chief Scientist, SES.ai Corp.
Electrolyte is a unique component in electrochemical device, because it must interface with every other components in the device, be it active (anode, cathode or other redox species), assisting (conductive additive, binder) or inactive (current collectors, separators and packaging materials). These interfaces often dictate whether the device could work according the designed electrochemical pathways.
Rechargeable batteries represent the best example for the importance of electrolytes, interfaces, and interphases, which evolves from interface if electrodes operate beyond the stability limits of the electrolytes.
In this talk, I will cover the fundamentals of these concepts and their practical applications. The design of better electrolytes and interfaces assisted by AI will also be briefly discussed
Reinventing Electrochemical Methods with Mechanics for Battery Status Assessment
Dr. Juner Zhu, Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University
A major challenge in battery sustainability is the lack of reliable assessment techniques that can efficiently obtain the status of spent batteries. In the current industry, safety inspection is usually performed by human labor, which is not only costly but also has a high risk of exposing inspectors to chemical hazards. Health assessment heavily depends on high-quality data from electrochemical and thermal measurements during cycling. To bridge these gaps, our group is exploring a new perspective by developing mechano-electrochemical approaches to assess batteries, particularly spent EV cells.
Mechanical behavior is an intrinsic property of batteries, similar to electrochemical and thermal behaviors, but it is often overlooked or viewed as a side effect in the regular life cycle. In fact, mechanical measurements convey a significant amount of information that can be used for assessment. Our group aims to use this mechanical information to reinvent traditional electrochemical methods based on our deep understanding of the fundamental coupling mechanisms. Compared to electrochemical methods, mechanical tests have the advantages of lower measuring costs and faster responding time, which is ideal for the rapid assessment of a large volume of spent batteries. Therefore, we expect our mechano-electrochemical methods to serve as an important supplement to existing assessment techniques.
Data-driven Modeling and Optimization of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Dr. Richard D. Braatz, Edwin R. Gilliland Professor of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
This presentation describes advances in data-driven techniques for the modeling and optimization of lithium-ion batteries. The specific systems problems include the prediction and classification of battery cycle lifetime (aka remaining useful life), health monitoring for lithium-ion battery packs, and the determination of optimal charging protocols. The development of the techniques and their application are in collaboration with researchers at Stanford University, Toyota Research Institute, and MIT.
Long Duration Energy Storage – Opportunities & Challenges
Dr. Kannan Tinnium, Technology Director - External Programs, Energy Storage Center of Excellence, Schneider Electric R&D, USA
The Electricity ecosystem is undergoing an unprecedented transformation with the rapid growth in Renewables, Distributed Power, and Electric Vehicles. Energy Storage Systems (ESS) will play a critical role in handling the intermittency associated with renewables, maintaining the stability of the grid and providing uninterrupted power. This talk will cover the need for Long Duration Energy Storage Technologies, Current scenario in the US, Initiatives by DOE and Future opportunities and Challenges.
Graphite Anode Recycling: A Sustainable Strategy for Supply Chain Localization
Dr. John Jaddou, Global Director of New Business Development, Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials
Graphite is the primary anode material in lithium-ion batteries and is expected to be vital for the industry's growth in the coming decades. To meet the rising demand for battery production in North America and Europe, new sources of graphite are essential. Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials has developed innovative processes to convert graphite-rich residues from Li-ion battery recycling into battery-grade anode materials. In this presentation, we will showcase data demonstrating that the physio-chemical properties and electrochemical performance of recycled graphite match those of high-quality commercial graphite anode materials. We will discuss the environmental, supply chain, and economic advantages of recycling graphite, emphasizing how this process contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by minimizing the need for new graphite extraction. Finally, we will explore how recycled graphite can serve as a sustainable and viable anode material for lithium-ion batteries, supporting a greener future and a more resilient supply chain.
Arkema Sustainable Materials Solutions for Battery Processing
Dr. Robert Barsotti, North American R&D Battery Director, Arkema Inc.
Arkema is a global specialty chemical and materials company with a US headquarters and R&D Center in King of Prussia, PA. Arkema has a strong research focus on materials for new energies and electric mobility, specifically finding sustainable solutions for battery processing. Research efforts on development of polymer binder technologies which enable the removal of NMP solvent from electrode processing will be presented, focusing on both waterborne PVDF solutions for cathode and novel acrylic binder technologies for the anode along with novel materials solutions that can improve processability and performance for next generation batteries.
The Landscape of Lithium and a Pathway toward a Sustainable Lithium Supply Chain
Dr. Michael Wang, Director of Research & Development, Lithios Inc.
The surging demand for batteries needed to electrify our vehicles and grid is leading to surging demand for their main ingredient – lithium. It is anticipated that the global supply of lithium will need to increase by eight times to meet the projected demand of 450 million vehicles by 2040. While lithium resources are abundant and found globally, the majority of these resources remain untapped due to the lack of economical and sustainable extraction methods. In this talk, I will provide an overview of a new electrochemical route toward lithium extraction that is being developed by Lithios, which has the potential to unlock untapped sources of lithium with significant reductions in energy consumption, water use, and cost.
Enabling battery sustainability via high-throughput CT scanning
Dr. Peter Attia, Cofounder and CTO, Glimpse
Battery quality lies at the heart of major issues relating to battery safety, reliability, and manufacturability — and sustainability! In this talk, I’ll discuss the challenges and opportunities to enable battery quality and sustainability at scale, focusing on the role of high-throughput CT. I'll first discuss Glimpse's capabilities and then share relevant highlights from Glimpse's work across qualification, manufacturing, and second-life applications.
Enabling Sustainable Dry Battery Electrode Processing with Multi-Functional Conductive Carbons
Dr. Olha Mashtalir, Lead Scientist, Cabot Corp.
Conductive carbons are ubiquitous in lithium-ion battery electrodes, and play a critical role in enabling higher power, higher energy density, faster charge, and improved safety. Driven by EV market growth and the escalating need for sustainable battery production, we are advancing the functionality of conductive additives to meet the demands of the evolving battery technologies. In this talk, I will share our research around sustainable materials with a focus on development of multi-functional conductive carbons that enable NMP-free dry electrode processing, a manufacturing technology capable of significant contributions towards greener and more efficient battery production.
New Sustainable Potassium-Ion Battery Technology Platform
Dr. Yakov Kutsovsky, Chief Scientific Officer, Executive Director, and Co-founder, Group1 Inc.
Potassium-ion Batteries (KIBs) have emerged as the only credible high energy density, critical-mineral-free 30% lower cost alternative to LFP Lithium-ion Batteries. Group1 will present an update on the advancements toward understanding and commercializing a low-cost, high-energy 3.7V KIB battery with a practical gravimetric energy target of 200 Wh/kg. This breakthrough is facilitated by a 4V Potassium Prussian White (KPW) cathode, an organic electrolyte, and a graphite anode. While LFP-based lithium-ion batteries eliminate Co and Ni, Group1's KIB further eliminates Li and Cu, representing the next leap in sustainable battery technology and ensuring a resilient domestic supply chain.
The Circular Economy of EV Batteries
Dr. Xin Wu, Technology-to-Market Advisor at the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E)
This presentation delves into ARPA-E's advanced programs in energy storage and the circularity of batteries. It aims to highlight the significance of battery circularity in achieving a more sustainable energy landscape. Key initiatives focus on developing next-generation batteries chemistry, packaging and designs that enables the regeneration and reuse, and promoting circular economy practices within the energy sector.
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