Value Proposition
· High capacity and rechargeable: combines the high energy capacity of lithium metal batteries with the rechargeability of lithium ion batteries.
Unmet Need
· Incorporation of lithium has increased battery longevity, rechargeability, and energy capacity; however lithium ion batteries still fall short when it comes to high energy demand applications such as next generation electric vehicles or aerospace mechanics.
· Current lithium batteries exist as either:
o Lithium ion batteries: lithium ions are embedded in a carbon material and transported through a liquid electrolyte. This type of battery is stable and rechargeable but have relatively low charge storage capacity.
o Lithium metal batteries: charge is stored in a lithium metal that allows significantly higher charge storage capacity but are not rechargeable due to instability.
· Therefore, there is a need for new lithium batteries that can combine the high charge storage capacity of lithium metal batteries with the rechargeability of lithium ion batteries.
Technology Description
· Gel MOFs (g-MOFs) are a colloidal network of discrete crystalline nanoparticles that aggregate via weak non-covalent interactions through a liquid phase, providing an intermediate between solid and liquid electrolytes and suppressing dendrite formation at the solid electrolyte interface (SEI).
· The implementation of g-MOFs into lithium batteries allows for the higher ionic conductivity of solid-state electrolytes and the decreased flammability of liquid electrolytes, allowing for rechargeability of lithium metal batteries.
Stage of Development
· Proof of concept
Publication
N/A
