Low-Cost, High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Low-Cost, High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries


Program:
OPEN 2012
Award:
$4,500,000
Location:
Berkeley, California
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
02/06/2013 - 03/31/2016

Critical Need:

Most of today’s electric vehicles (EVs) are powered by lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries—the same kind of batteries used in cell phones and laptop computers. Currently, most Li-Ion batteries used in EVs provide a driving range limited to 100 miles on a single charge and account for more than half of the total cost of the vehicle. To compete in the market with gasoline-based vehicles, EVs must cost less and drive farther. An EV that is cost-competitive with gasoline would require a battery with twice the energy storage of today’s state-of-the-art Li-Ion battery at 30% of the cost.

Project Innovation + Advantages:

PolyPlus Battery Company is developing an innovative, water-based Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) battery. Today, Li-S battery technology offers the lightest high-energy batteries that are completely self-contained. New features in these water-based batteries make PolyPlus’ lightweight battery ideal for a variety of military and consumer applications. The design could achieve energy densities between 400-600 Wh/kg, a substantial improvement from today’s state-of-the-art Li-Ion batteries that can hold only 150 Wh/kg. PolyPlus’ technology—with applications for vehicle transportation as well as grid storage—would be able to transition to a widespread commercial and military market.

Potential Impact:

If successful, PolyPlus’ Li-S battery would improve upon the performance, cost, and life span of today’s best batteries for EVs and grid storage applications.

Security:

Increased use of EVs would decrease U.S. dependence on foreign oil—the transportation sector is the dominant source of this dependence.

Environment:

Greater use of EVs would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, 28% of which come from the transportation sector.

Economy:

The ability to make higher performance batteries at a lower cost would give U.S. battery manufacturers a significant and enduring advantage over their foreign competitors.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Grigorii Soloveichik
Project Contact:
Dr. Steve Visco
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
svisco@polyplus.com

Related Projects


Release Date:
11/28/2012