Grant: Idea to Innovation
University of Waterloo
$125,000.00
Development of Rechargeable Zinc Lithium-ion Battery
EF 2019-20
Résumé
Development of inexpensive, safe, and environmentally benign energy storage technologies to replace lithium ion batteries are imperative in order to realize the immense benefits of smart grid systems both in Canada and globally. To create an efficient and reliable smart grid, storing the electricity with an electrochemical energy storage (EES) device and delivering it on demand is a high priority. Recently, aqueous zinc lithium-ion batteries (ZLIBs) have attracted significant attention as an efficient EES system. This technology is completely safe and environmentally friendly, and its cost is much lower than a typical lithium-ion battery. In a ZLIB, metallic zinc is used as the anode which is naturally an abundant metal in Canada and lithium intercalation electrodes, e.g. lithium iron phosphate is used as the cathode. Instead of organic electrolyte of typical lithium-ion battery, aqueous electrolyte will be used which reduces the overall cost, increase safety, and reduce environmental impacts. Currently, Dr. Zhongwei Chen's research group at the University of Waterloo has developed and patented a high performance and durable thick, semi-solid cathode for the ZLIB application. The present proposal entails the optimization of our patented semi-solid cathode, along with scaling up the manufacturing process while simultaneously ensuring quality control and product consistency. Electrode design and strategies will be furtherly investigated to optimize the semi-solid cathode. The strategies consist of optimization of semi-solid cathode physical parameters such as electrode loading and porosity, evaluating the capacity and durability performance in a full-cell, and eventually upscaling the fabrication process to prepare a 30Wh battery prototype for the demonstration. Successful scaling up the fabrication process can be employed by industrial manufacturers to accomplish a commercially viable rechargeable ZLIB for future generation of smart grids. It is expected that the results of the proposed research will provide the potential breakthrough required for successful rechargeable ZLIB commercialization.
Programme
Idea to Innovation
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
Ontario, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
544498-2019
Name nom
Chen, Zhongwei
Department département
Chemical Engineering
Organization id
33
Institution établissement
University of Waterloo
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2019
Competition year année de concours
2019
Award amount
125000
Program id
I2IPJ
Program name en
Idea to Innovation
Program name fr
De l'idée à l'innovation
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
305
Area of application group en
Energy resources
Area of application group fr
Ressources d'énergie
Area of application en
Energy storage and conversion
Area of application fr
Stockage et transformation de l'énergie
Research subject code
1800
Research subject group en
Chemical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie chimique
Research subject en
Chemical engineering
Research subject fr
Génie chimique
Installment
inst:1 - 1
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Development of Rechargeable Zinc Lithium-ion Battery
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Development of inexpensive, safe, and environmentally benign energy storage technologies to replace lithium ion batteries are imperative in order to realize the immense benefits of smart grid systems both in Canada and globally. To create an efficient and reliable smart grid, storing the electricity with an electrochemical energy storage (EES) device and delivering it on demand is a high priority. Recently, aqueous zinc lithium-ion batteries (ZLIBs) have attracted significant attention as an efficient EES system. This technology is completely safe and environmentally friendly, and its cost is much lower than a typical lithium-ion battery. In a ZLIB, metallic zinc is used as the anode which is naturally an abundant metal in Canada and lithium intercalation electrodes, e.g. lithium iron phosphate is used as the cathode. Instead of organic electrolyte of typical lithium-ion battery, aqueous electrolyte will be used which reduces the overall cost, increase safety, and reduce environmental impacts. Currently, Dr. Zhongwei Chen's research group at the University of Waterloo has developed and patented a high performance and durable thick, semi-solid cathode for the ZLIB application. The present proposal entails the optimization of our patented semi-solid cathode, along with scaling up the manufacturing process while simultaneously ensuring quality control and product consistency. Electrode design and strategies will be furtherly investigated to optimize the semi-solid cathode. The strategies consist of optimization of semi-solid cathode physical parameters such as electrode loading and porosity, evaluating the capacity and durability performance in a full-cell, and eventually upscaling the fabrication process to prepare a 30Wh battery prototype for the demonstration. Successful scaling up the fabrication process can be employed by industrial manufacturers to accomplish a commercially viable rechargeable ZLIB for future generation of smart grids. It is expected that the results of the proposed research will provide the potential breakthrough required for successful rechargeable ZLIB commercialization.
