R&D Stream

Next-Generation Battery Research

Advances in Material, Chemical, and Electrochemical Engineering

March 27-28, 2018 | Fort Lauderdale Convention Center | Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA

Have lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) reached their technical limit? Shortcomings including high costs, inadequate energy densities, long recharge times, short cycle-life times and safety must be continually addressed. Thus, considerable basic research is being directed toward battery improvements to meet ever-increasing energy demands. A revolutionary paradigm is required to design new stable anode, cathode, and electrolyte chemistries and materials that provide electrochemical cells with high energy, high power, long lifetime and adequate safety at competitive manufacturing costs. Coordinated efforts in fundamental research and advanced engineering are needed to effectively combine new materials, electrode architectures and manufacturing technologies. The Next-Generation Battery Research: Advances in Material, Chemical, and Electrochemical Engineering conference spans the continuum from basic materials research, electrochemical engineering, and diagnostics to advance battery performance.

Monday, March 26

7:00 am - 4:00 pm Tutorial and Training Seminar* Registration Open

7:00 - 8:00 am Morning Coffee

12:30 - 1:30 Enjoy Lunch on Your Own

1:30 - 2:00 Networking Refreshment Break

4:00 Close of Day

*Separate registration required for Tutorials and Training Seminar.

Tuesday, March 27

7:00 am Registration and Morning Coffee

8:10 Plenary Keynote Sessions: Organizer’s Opening Remarks

Craig Wohlers, Executive Director, Conferences, Cambridge EnerTech

8:15 How Does the Electrolyte Change during the Lifetime of a Li-Ion Cell?

Jeff Dahn, PhD, Professor, Canada Research Chair, NSERC/Tesla Canada Industrial Research Chair, Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University

Jeff Dahn is recognized as one of the pioneering developers of the lithium-ion battery that is now used worldwide in laptop computers and cellphones. This presentation will examine how the electrolyte changes during the lifetime of the cell.

8:45 Uber Elevate - Powering an Electric UberAIR Future

Celina Mikolajczak, Director of Battery Development, Uber

Celina Mikolajczak will be speaking about the Uber Elevate initiative and sharing vision for how vertical take-off and landing vehicles will change the world, as well as the energy storage needs required to power UberAIR missions in the years ahead.

9:15 Networking Coffee Break

Advances in Capacity and Capacity Retention

9:45 Organizer’s Opening Remarks

Mary Ann Brown, Executive Director, Conferences, Cambridge EnerTech

9:50 Chairperson’s Remarks

Maximilian Fichtner, PhD, Executive Director, Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU); Managing Director, Energy Storage Group, Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

10:00 FEATURED PRESENTATION: Strategies for Mitigating Active Lithium Losses in High-Energy Lithium-Ion Cells

Tobias Placke, Dr. rer. Nat., Division Manager, Materials, MEET Battery Research Center, University of Münster

Active lithium loss is caused by lithium consuming parasitic reactions like SEI formation and results in capacity fading and, thus, is a major reason for the reduction of the usable energy density of lithium-ion batteries. Here, we present novel results for mitigating the active lithium loss such as novel electrolyte additives in high-energy lithium-ion cells.

10:30 Unlocking Metal Oxide Anodes for LIBs by Understanding Relationships between Conductivity, Structure, Chemistry and Performance

William E. Mustain, PhD, Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Swearingen Engineering Center, University of South Carolina

New materials hold the key to next-generation high energy density lithium-ion batteries. At the anode, high capacity materials – including transition metal oxides – rely on non-intercalation processes to store charge, which inherently work to limit cycle life. This talk highlights approaches to design electrodes and manage degradation mechanisms to allow for high capacity and capacity retention electrodes.

11:00 FEATURED PRESENTATION: Stabilized Porhyrins as a New Class of Ultrafast Storage Materials with High Capacity

Maximilian Fichtner, PhD, Executive Director, Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU); Managing Director, Energy Storage Group, Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

A new material is presented, which is based on an organic natural material and which delivers good specific capacities in the order of 180 mAh/g at an average voltage of approximately 3 V. The material can be charged and discharged at rates around 50 C. By a simple modification of the material, the typical issue of organic batteries, the degradation upon cycling, was greatly improved and 80% of the capacity was retained after 6,000 cycles.

11:30 Electrochemical Performance of Silicon Enhanced Lac Knife Natural Flake Graphite from Quebec, Canada in Li-ion Batteries

Joseph E. Doninger, PhD, Director, Manufacturing and Technology, Focus Graphite Inc.

Coin cell tests were conducted on Lac Knife carbon coated spherical graphite treated with amorphous silicon at levels ranging from 4.5 to 18 wt% Si. The results showed that the reversible capacities achieved in the anode with the silicon enhanced graphite ranged from 462 to 613 mAh/g.

11:45 Optimized for Economies of Scale: High-Performing Natural Graphite for Next-Generation Li-ion Batteries

Shaun Verner, MSc, Managing Director and CEO, Syrah Resources

Christina Lampe-Onnerud, PhD, Founder and CEO, Cadenza Innovation

Exponential growth in electric vehicles and grid storage – already fueling the dramatic reduction in the cost of Li-ion batteries – is driving the need for further optimization across the industry’s manufacturing lines. Enhancements to increase throughput and generate higher yields are now front and center for all Li-ion cell OEMs. These dynamics are compelling equipment suppliers, and the anode materials market as a whole, to remain cost-competitive while delivering higher performance.

12:15 pm Networking Luncheon

12:55 Networking Refreshment Break

Increasing Energy Density with Alternative Chemistries

1:25 Chairperson’s Remarks

Tobias Placke, Dr. rer. Nat., Division Manager, Materials, MEET Battery Research Center, University of Münster

1:30 Minimal Architecture Zinc-Bromine Battery for Low Cost Electrochemical Energy Storage

Daniel Steingart, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University

In this work, we seek to reduce cost and increase cycle life of a grid-scale system by de-emphasizing the requirements for shelf life and short circuit prevention. We show a reconfiguration of the zinc-bromine system creates a system that may “live forever by dying everyday” by eliminating much of the balance-of-plant and exploiting the physical properties of the bromine and zinc.

2:00 Dendrite-Free Rechargeable Zinc-Based Batteries: Solving a Chronic Impediment through Architectural Design

Debra Rolison, PhD, Head, Advanced Electrochemical Materials Section, Surface Chemistry Branch – Code 6170, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

Zinc-based batteries offer a compelling alternative to lithium-ion batteries thanks to nonflammable aqueous electrolytes augmented by the high energy density of Zn-based batteries. We redesign the zinc anode as a porous, aperiodic 3D-wired “sponge” architecture that innately promotes greater rechargeability when cycled in prototype Ag-Zn and Ni-Zn cells. Our results show that all Zn-based chemistries can now be reformulated for next-generation rechargeable, Li-free batteries.

2:30 Accelerating Development of High Nickel NMC Cathodes- Improved Lifetime and Durability

Dee Strand, PhD, CSO, Chemistry, Wildcat Discovery Technologies

3:00 Grand Opening Dessert Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

Insights into Complex and Dynamic Interactions: Modeling

3:45 Rational Design and Experimental Validation of Battery Cathode Materials

Kyeongjae (KJ) Cho, PhD, Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Texas, Dallas

We discuss ‘materials by design’ and validation experimental research on high-capacity cathode materials for Li- and Na-ion batteries (LIB and NIB). Using the first-principles density functional theory method, we have designed electrode materials for battery cathodes, and subsequently performed experimental studies to validate the material designs. Through an integrated material design - experiment research, we have developed highly efficient cathode materials.

SPEAKER CANCELLATION
4:15 Discovery of New Solid-State Li-Ion Conductors through Machine Learning

Chen Ling, PhD, Principal Scientist, Materials Research Department, Toyota Research Institute of North America

Materials with high Li-ion conductivity as well as other desirable properties are the key to the success of all solid-state battery. Here we apply machine learning to explore Li-ion conductors from thousands of Li-containing compounds. Our study achieved an unprecedented success rate for the exploration of new solid lithium-ion conductors. The high conductivities of several candidates are verified through ab initio molecular dynamics simulation.

4:45 Enabling Next-Generation Batteries through High-Performance Computing

Kandler Smith, PhD, Senior Scientist, Battery Computational and Systems Modeling, Transportation & Hydrogen Systems Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Battery manufacturers and automotive integrators have largely adopted computer-aided engineering tools for design of large format cells and battery pack systems. Active research is increasingly turning towards the microstructure length scale, to understand and quantify the role of electrode microstructure on performance and lifetime. This presentation outlines ongoing modeling and experimental studies designed to address gaps and enable next generation electrode architectures and chemistries.

5:15 Transition to Breakout Discussions

5:20 Interactive Breakout Discussion Groups

Participants choose a specific breakout discussion group to join. Each group has a moderator to ensure focused discussions around key issues within the topic. This format allows participants to meet potential collaborators, share examples from their work, vet ideas with peers, and be part of a group problem-solving endeavor. The discussions provide an informal exchange of ideas and are not meant to be a corporate or specific product discussion.

TABLE 1: Lessons Learned from the Samsung Galaxy Note7 Battery Safety Events

Shmuel De-Leon, CEO, Shmuel De-Leon Energy, Ltd.

TABLE 2: Need, Status, and Future Prospects of New Battery Materials

Maximilian Fichtner, PhD, Executive Director, Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU); Managing Director, Energy Storage Group, Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

TABLE 3: Unmet Needs and Opportunities in Battery Diagnostics

Alexej Jerschow, PhD, Professor, Chemistry Department, New York University

TABLE 4: Silicon Anodes and Cells

Benjamin Park, PhD, Founder & CTO, Enevate

TABLE 5: High Energy Density and Improved Safety with Enhanced Current Collectors

Brian Morin, PhD, CEO, Soteria Battery Innovation Group

TABLE 6: Cell Manufacturing

Raf Goossens, PhD, CEO, Global Corporate Management, PEC

TABLE 7: What Do I Really Have to Do to Ship My Small Li-Ion Battery Globally?

Cynthia Millsaps, President and CEO, Energy Assurance LLC

TABLE 8: Preventing Costly Over-Design While Maintaining Safety

Chris Turner, CTO & Vice President, Inventus Power

TABLE 9: Consumer Product Safety

Douglas Lee, Directorate for Engineering Sciences, U.S. Consumer for Product Safety Commission

TABLE 10: SK Innovation’s use of IPR in SK Innovation v. Celgard

Grant M. Ehrlich, PhD, Partner, Cantor Colburn LLP.

TABLE 11: Electrolyte Developments: New Components and Approaches

Sam Jaffe, Managing Director, Cairn Energy Research Advisors

6:20 Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)

7:20 Close of Day

Wednesday, March 28

8:00 am Registration and Morning Coffee

Insights into Complex and Dynamic Interactions: Diagnostics

8:25 Chairperson’s Remarks

Alexej Jerschow, PhD, Professor, Chemistry Department, New York University

8:30 Probing Interfaces Involving Solid Electrolytes: Atomic-Scale Insights from New Microscopy Techniques

Miaofang Chi, PhD, Senior Staff Scientist, Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Interfaces involving solid electrolytes represent a critical but largely under-researched area. Microscopic factors, e.g., lattice structure and carrier distributions, determine the interfacial conductivity and stability and thus dictate the rate capability in batteries. Real interfaces are complex and dynamic, and are challenging to probe for both theory and experiment. This talk focuses on the atomic-scale insights recently revealed by advanced and emerging microscopy methods.

9:00 Novel Advanced Diagnostics at BatteryX

Jigang Zhou, PhD, Staff Scientist, Innovation Division, Canadian Light Source, Inc.; Adjunct Professor, Materials Engineering Department, Western University

BatteryX uses non-destructive characterizations to monitor complex structural and chemical changes that occur in the battery. This leads to deeper practical understanding of batteries’ synthesis, surface engineering, device design, and failure mechanisms. We review the platform and newest research at BatteryX such as in situ nanoscale chemical imaging of composite electrode to integrate the fine understanding of interphase structure with degradation and safety.

9:30 Nondestructive and Fast Scanning of Cells with MRI-Based Technique

Alexej Jerschow, PhD, Professor, Chemistry Department, New York University

We are presenting battery assessment technology based on non-destructive Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques. The approach works on intact, commercial rechargeable batteries (for example, Li-ion batteries) – no need to take the batteries apart. Moreover, the technique can detect changes in the electrode chemistry that occur as the battery is charged and discharged, or if it is damaged. The vision is to use a benchtop-type instrument, which could be deployed in a variety of ways.

10:00 Coffee Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

Safer Electrochemical Energy Storage

10:45 Healing of Lithium Metal Dendrites for Electrochemical Energy Storage Applications

Lu Li, Research Assistant, Nikhil A. Koratkar Group, Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

I describe how self-heating (Joule heating) can be used to anneal and heal lithium metal dendrites in lithium-sulfur batteries. Operation of the battery at high operating current densities (i.e., high charge-discharge rates) will be used to heat the lithium dendrites. Above a critical activation temperature, surface diffusion and migration of Li atoms is triggered resulting in a morphology change of the dendrites into a smooth film-like morphology, which eliminates the risk of dendritic shorting of the electrochemical cell.

11:15 Design of Polymer-Supported, Low Volatility Gel Electrolytes

Matthew Panzer, PhD, Associate Professor, Graduate Program Chair, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Tufts University

Solid (gel) electrolyte films featuring room temperature ionic liquids (materials known as ionogels) hold great promise for realizing safer electrochemical energy storage devices. Ionogels are inherently safer than currently used liquid solvent-based electrolytes due to their nonvolatile, nonflammable and leak-proof nature. Recent findings suggest that controlling ion-polymer scaffold interactions through rational chemical functionalization is an important strategy by which one can optimize ionogel performance.

11:45 Making Li-Ion Batteries Safe and Flexible with Water

Kang Xu, PhD, Senior Research Chemist & Project Lead, U.S. Army Research Lab

Non-aqueous electrolytes are responsible for the rare but high-profile safety incidents encountered by Li-ion batteries, and their moisture-sensitive and toxic nature also brought rigid form-factors. Using aqueous electrolytes would resolve most of these concerns, if water could be stabilized at extreme potentials required for most LIB chemistries. This work aims to explore that possibility.

12:15 pm Luncheon Presentation (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)

1:30 Shep Wolsky Battery Innovator Award and Tribute & Plenary Keynotes

1:45 Past, Present and Future of Lithium-Ion Batteries. Can New Technologies Open Up New Horizons?

Yoshio Nishi, PhD, Executive Alumni, Sony Corporation

Mr. Yoshio Nishi is retired senior vice president and chief technology officer of the Sony Corporation. He graduated in 1966 from the Faculty of Applied Chemistry of the Department of Technology at Keio University in Tokyo and immediately joined Sony, where he rose through the ranks to become corporate research fellow, vice president, and president of the company’s materials laboratories. In 1991 his team succeeded in the commercialization of the first lithium-ion secondary batteries (LIB). In 1994 he received technical awards from the Electrochemical Societies of both Japan and the United States in recognition of his contributions to LIB technology. In 2014, Dr. Nishi was awarded the Draper Prize by the National Academy of Engineering for pioneering and leading the groundwork for today’s lithium-ion battery. Since the early 1990s, LIBs were introduced into various mobile devices and we were reasonably confident that our customers would be satisfied with their performance. Shortly afterwards, however, we noticed that there were some discrepancies between the performance we offered and that expected by our customers. Dr. Nishi will discuss here what LIB users really require from secondary batteries.

2:05 Global Electrification and LG Chem

Denise Gray, CEO, LG Chem Power

Denise Gray is President/CEO of LG Chem Power Inc. (LGCPI), the North American subsidiary of lithium-ion battery maker, LG Chem (LGC), Korea. In this position, she has overall responsibility for the strategic direction, engineering, and business development activities for the North American market. The majority of her professional career, nearly 30 years, was spent at General Motors in the USA. Director of Battery Systems Engineering, Director of Transmission Controls Engineering, Director of Powertrain Controller Engineering, Director of Powertrain Software Engineering, and development of powertrain and vehicle electrical systems were her core engineering responsibilities. A review of the current global trends in vehicle electrification and automotive battery technologies will be presented. This will be carried out highlighting LG Chem’s participation in the various segments from materials, cell and cost points of view.

2:25 Addressing Key Battery Issues from a Thermodynamics Perspective

Rachid Yazami, PhD, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Program Director, Energy Storage, Energy Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Rachid Yazami is a French Morrocan scientist best known for his research on lithium-ion batteries and on fluoride-ion batteries. He is the inventor of the graphite anode (negative pole) of lithium-ion batteries. In 2014 Rachid Yazami, John Goodenough, Yoshio Nishi and Akira Yoshino were awarded the Draper Prize by the National Academy of Engineering for pioneering and leading the groundwork for today’s lithium-ion battery. In this presentation, we will show how online thermodynamics data collection and processing addresses the SOC and SOH determination. We found a universal rule, which applies to all LIB tested at any SOH (ageing), that is the SOC is a linear function of entropy and enthalpy. Linearity coefficients are LIB chemistry and SOH dependent. Therefore, the thermodynamics assessment method teaches on the type of cathode material and on the degree of anode and cathode degradation as the battery ages.

2:45 Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

3:30 Close of Next-Generation Battery Research