This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to develop an unprecedented battery separator technology - alumina nanowire battery separators - to address the stringent requirements for large-sized lithium ion batteries for the coming era of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in Hybrid EVs (PHEVs). The proposed battery separator will provide high temperature stability, long term stability and high ion conductivity, which are unachievable by the state-of-the-art commercial separators. The successful development of the proposed separator technology will result in large-sized lithium ion batteries with a much higher level of consumer safety and lifetime compared to present and even improved batteries. The successful commercialization of the proposed separator technology will assure the large scale commercial use of large-sized lithium ion batteries in EVs/PHEVs.
The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is paramount. The global automotive battery market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% during 2012?2017 and surpass $41 billion by 2017. Lithium-ion batteries are gaining worldwide attention as a preferred battery option for transportation vehicles. Large-sized lithium ion batteries with high energy density, high power density, long-term stability and safety, sufficient power performance at a wide temperature range are highly desirable for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Battery separator is a critical component in lithium ion batteries, since it is critical for the overall safety and long term stability of large package batteries. The overall market for lithium-ion battery separators is expected to grow to $2.5 billion in 2020, mainly driven by the demand for electric vehicles. Moreover, if the high temperature stability of our flexible ceramic separator is further explored, it is possible to construct high temperature batteries in which new battery chemistry can be adopted.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), and Electric Vehicles (EV), here designated as xEVs, continue to gain acceptance as a viable alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles. Light, compact, high-power, and high-capacity lithium ion batteries provide the most attractive solution to xEV battery need. However, the safety of lithium ion batteries for auto industry has always been a big concern. We at Novarials Corporation are developing an unprecedented battery separator technology - alumina nanowire battery separators - to address the stringent requirements and urgent need. In the Phase I project, we have successfully fabricated the novel alumina nanowire battery separators and have successfully demonstrated their superior performances that are unachievable by the state-of-the-art commercial separators. The superior characteristics and properties of our alumina nanowire battery separators are: (1) pure ceramic; (2) flexible; (3) high temperature stability; (4) high porosity; (5) intrinsic hydrophilic surface; (6) high ionic conductivity; (7) superior electrochemical performance; and (8) low manufacturing cost. A battery separator with these superior properties and performance is predicted to be the next generation high safety battery separator. The successful commercialization of the proposed separator technology will assure the large scale commercial use of large-sized lithium ion batteries in xEVs. The global automotive battery market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% during 2012–2017 and surpass $41 billion by 2017. Lithium-ion batteries are gaining worldwide attention as a preferred battery option for transportation vehicles. Large-sized lithium ion batteries with high energy density, high power density, long-term stability and safety, sufficient power performance at a wide temperature range are highly desirable for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Battery separator is a critical component in lithium ion batteries, since it is critical for the overall safety and long term stability of large package batteries. The overall market for lithium-ion battery separators is expected to grow to $2.5 billion in 2020, mainly driven by the demand for electric vehicles, which is our target market. Moreover, if the high temperature stability of our flexible ceramic separator is further explored, it is possible to construct high temperature batteries in which new battery chemistry can be adopted.
