Innovations are reducing costs, securing the grid, and strengthening domestic supply chains. They also support American manufacturing.
By Michael Matz |
LEMONT, Ill.—The U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory has a storied history in battery breakthroughs. For decades, its multidisciplinary team of researchers has forged game-changing advances in energy storage science.
Working with industry is a central part of Argonne battery research. Collaborative efforts have contributed to substantial battery cost reductions and benefited diverse U.S. companies. The aim is to help companies become commercially successful global leaders.
One well-known example is Argonne’s foundational role in developing materials for battery electrodes made with nickel, manganese, and cobalt.
“This research laid the scientific groundwork for today’s high-energy lithium-ion batteries now widely used in electric vehicles and grid storage systems,” said Venkat Srinivasan, director of Argonne’s Collaborative Center for Energy Storage Science. “It has also helped catalyze domestic battery manufacturing.”
Many ways to work with Argonne on battery R&D
There are several types of collaborative arrangements between Argonne and industry. Battery entrepreneurs come to Argonne to use its world-class facilities. They work with Argonne researchers to develop promising concepts. Dozens of companies collaborate with Argonne on joint battery research projects. These often involve privately funded work. Argonne researchers may possess skills and knowledge that can help advance a company’s technology.
Argonne has more than 250 active, energy storage-related patents. It transfers its battery breakthroughs and other intellectual property to industry through licensing agreements. For example, Argonne has licensed technologies to General Motors and LG Chem to mass-produce patented materials for advanced batteries. Agreements have created numerous U.S. jobs and led to the construction of new manufacturing plants.
“The possibilities for industry to collaborate with Argonne are vast,” Srinivasan said. “Argonne’s capabilities and facilities span the entire energy storage ecosystem. They cover areas such as material discovery, manufacturing processes, and device testing. We work on multiple battery technologies, including lithium-ion, solid-state. and flow batteries.”
Strengthening domestic supply chains
Argonne’s industry collaborations help cultivate robust U.S. supplies of critical battery materials. This can reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.
For instance, Argonne is working with a domestic lithium producer to develop more cost-effective methods to refine lithium extracted from brines in underground reservoirs. The process yields battery-grade lithium hydroxide.
Another example: Argonne has forged advances in sodium-ion batteries. Such alternatives to lithium-based technologies can be made with materials that are abundant in the U.S.
Supporting grid resilience
Argonne battery innovations enhance grid resilience and security. Working with industry, Argonne is investigating ways to improve performance and lifetimes of lead-acid batteries for grid and backup power applications. These well-established, low-cost, domestically produced technologies are central to telecommunications and critical infrastructure.
Energy storage technologies can support reliability for U.S. data centers, which require enormous amounts of steady electricity 24/7. Batteries can power data centers during periods of peak demand. This reduces the strain on the grid while helping to ensure uninterrupted data center operations.
Batteries for defense applications
The military needs batteries customized for specialized applications, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, military vehicles, and radios. Batteries must be able to handle extreme environments, like low temperatures. Argonne is developing safer, longer-lasting battery chemistries to meet these needs. This supports mission readiness and national security.
“There is a lot of exciting, cutting-edge battery research happening at Argonne, and collaboration with industry is a big part of it,” Srinivasan said.
Michael Matz is a writer for Argonne National Laboratory.
This article originally appeared on Argonne National Laboratory’s website.