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Contract Opportunity

Opportunity:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to further develop and commercialize its method of manufacturing membrane-less 3D printed random interlocking battery electrodes.

Background:

Membrane-based lithium-ion batteries have been widely used in various applications, but they have their share of drawbacks:

1. Limited lifespan: The separator membrane used in membrane-based lithium-ion batteries can degrade over time, reducing the battery's lifespan and leading to potential safety hazards.

2. Reduced power output: The membrane used in these batteries can limit the flow of ions between the anode and cathode, resulting in reduced power output and slower charging.

3. Higher internal resistance: The membrane can also increase the internal resistance of the battery, reducing the overall efficiency and leading to heat generation and decreased performance.

4. Limited flexibility: The membrane is a rigid component, which can limit the flexibility of the battery's form factor and restrict its use in certain applications.

5. Risk of short-circuiting: If the separator membrane is damaged or fails, it can lead to a short circuit and potentially cause a thermal runaway, which can result in a fire or explosion.

Given that membranes can be so disadvantageous, there is a need to develop batteries that do not require having a membrane separator.

Description:

LLNL researchers have developed a fabrication process for creating 3D random interdigitated architectures of anodes and cathodes, eliminating the need for a membrane to separate them. This approach is similar to the repeating interdigitated multi-electrode architectures that also were developed at LLNL.

The method to create random interdigitated structures employs Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing technology to print the interlocking structures, followed by rinsing with organic solutions to remove residual printing resin. The cleaned structures are then solidified by curing with UV light. A conductive layer is introduced through an electroless plating process for surface modification, and active materials like copper and MnO2 are deposited onto both sides of the anode and cathode. Unlike direct ink writing techniques, this method allows for the creation of more complex structures, allowing for finer tuning of the battery's performance.

Advantages/Benefits:

Advantages of 3D interdigitated lithium batteries include:

1. High energy density: The 3D interlocking structure of the battery allows for increased surface area, which can increase the amount of active material in the battery, resulting in a higher energy density compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.

2. Improved power output: The interlocking structure of the battery also facilitates better electron and ion transport, resulting in improved power output.

3. Faster charging: 3D interdigitated lithium batteries can be charged faster compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries due to their improved electron and ion transport.

4. Enhanced durability: The 3D interlocking structure of the battery provides better mechanical stability, reducing the risk of deformation or damage during use.

5. Flexible form factor: The interlocking structure of the battery allows for flexibility in design, making it possible to create batteries of different shapes and sizes to fit a wide range of applications.

Potential Applications:

• Next generation Li-ion battery design


• Supercapacitors


• Zn based batteries

Development Status:

Current stage of technology development: TRL 3

LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention.

LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information.

Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.

Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's 3D Printed Random Interlocking Electrodes for Membrane-less Next Generation Battery Architectures should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following:

1. Company Name and address.


2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact.


3. A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology.

Please provide a complete electronic OR written statement to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's 3D Printed Random Interlocking Electrodes for Membrane-less Next Generation Battery Architectures.

The subject heading in an email response should include the Notice ID and/or the title of LLNL’s Technology/Business Opportunity and directed to the Primary and Secondary Point of Contacts listed below.

Written responses should be directed to:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Innovation and Partnerships Office

P.O. Box 808, L-779

Livermore, CA 94551-0808

Attention: IL-13879

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