High power-density lithium batteries for electrical cars

Rechargeable lithium batteries in electrical or hybrid electrical vehicles are of increasing interest for the transportation sector.

 
A step-like development in technology is needed in order to make lithium batteries viable for widespread use in transportation. It is necessary to e.g. improve safety of operation, increase power and energy densities, decrease cost of materials and production, develop new materials using abundant and non-toxic elements, reduce the environmental impact and build up efficient recycling of materials.

Risø intends to increase its research in lithium battery technology, especially related to development of new, safe, high power-density batteries. We will focus on safety, performance and degradation of materials and structures in batteries and combine our expertise in materials synthesis, electrochemistry, modeling and DFT calculations, and advanced characterization.

Synchrotron X-ray diffraction studies of lithium batteries have been initiated. Using hard X-ray radiation (80 keV) it was possible to obtain detailed information about the anode and cathode materials inside an actual lithium battery. Upon discharge of the battery clear changes in the phase composition and interlayer distances were seen for the active materials, due to lithium intercalation/deintercalation.

We intend to develop in situ techniques for detailed time resolved thermal and charge-state mapping of operating batteries under charge/discharge cycles and real driving conditions. Risø is collaborating with e.g. Positive Energies (Utilization of lithium battery technology), Lynx cars (Development of Electrical Vehicles) and AMITA (Lithium battery manufacturer).


Lithium batteries powers the Lynx car, which is a fully electrical extreme sportscar developed in Denmark.
www.lynxcars.com



Comparison of synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction patterns of a charged and discharged lithium battery. Diffraction rings from the active materials (cathode and anode) as well as the current collectors (copper and aluminium) are seen. Changes in the diffraction patterns of the active materials are clearly visible.


 

Page updated  by   03.02.2010


Poul Norby
Senior Scientist
Materials Research (AFM)
Dir tel+45 46774726