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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Delineating the Roles of Mn, Al, and Co by Comparing Three Layered Oxide Cathodes with the Same Nickel Content of 70% for Lithium-Ion Batteries

High-nickel layered oxides continue to prevail in the energy storage market as the frontmost cathode candidates for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. Demand and development of LiNi 1–x–y Mn x Co y O 2 (NMC) and LiNi 1–x–y Co x Al y O 2 (NCA) cathodes are rampantly increasing, particularly for the electric vehicle (EV) industry. However, the continued presence of cobalt in NMC and NCA cathodes raises global concerns due to geopolitical and ethical issues attributed to Co sourcing. We herein introduce a novel cobalt-free, high-nickel cathode LiNi 0.7 Mn 0.25 Al 0.05 O 2 (NMA70) and benchmark it against Co-containing LiNi 0.7 Mn 0.15 Co 0.15 O 2 (NMC70) as well as Co- and Al-free LiNi 0.7 Mn 0.3 O 2 (NM70) cathodes with equivalent 70% Ni contents that are all synthesized in-house. NMA70 displays a high initial C/10 capacity of 210 mA h g –1 , matching that of NMC70 in half cells with a cutoff voltage of 4.5 V. NMA70 also exhibits an impressive high-voltage full cell cycling performance with a cutoff voltage of 4.4 V with a nearly identical capacity retention of 83% compared to that of 82% for NMC70 after 300 cycles. Postmortem X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) analyses indicate a thinner cathode–electrolyte interface (CEI) developed in NMA70 compared to that in NM70 and unveil a more robust solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) passivation on the graphite anode among all samples. The benefits of Al doping are additionally highlighted with enhanced high-voltage CEI and thermal stabilities in NMA70. Furthermore, this work assesses the roles of Mn, Al, and Co to demonstrate both the practicality and feasibility of synthesizing cobalt-free, high-nickel cathodes that are promising alternatives to current NMC- and NCA-based cathodes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Calcium Gradient-Doped LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 Cathode for Long Cycle Life Lithium-Ion Batteries

High-voltage spinel LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 (LNMO) has attracted considerable attention as a cathode material for next-generation lithium-ion batteries due to its high operating voltage and intrinsically fast lithium-ion diffusion kinetics. However, the practical implementation of LNMO remains limited by its rapid capacity decay, primarily associated with bulk structural instability and parasitic interfacial reactions. To address these issues, we innovatively introduced calcium (Ca) as a dopant to enhance both the oxygen framework and surface stabilities of the LNMO crystal through gradient doping. Observations from the electronic microscopies, X-ray diffraction, and the elemental analysis confirmed that Ca is preferentially enriched at the particle surface, and a disordered crystal phase is preserved in the bulk in the gradient-doped LNMO cathodes. As cathodes in LIBs, the Ca gradient-doped (Ca gr) LNMO materials delivered formation capacities of ∼126−130 mAh/g and exhibited Coulombic efficiencies of 88−95%, which are consistently higher than those of the uniform-doped samples at the same doping level and undoped sample. Especially, the Ca gr 0.05 LNMO cathode demonstrated significantly improved rate capability with ∼113 mAh/g preserved at 10 C, while ∼92 mAh/g and ∼110 mAh/g for undoped and Ca uniform 0.05 LNMO, respectively, and excellent cycling stability, retaining ∼124.1 mAh/g (∼96.3% capacity retention) after 500 cycles. The analysis of cyclic voltammetry, differential capacity, and electrochemical impedance revealed that the excellent electrochemical performance is attributed to the structural and morphological advantages of gradient-doped LNMO cathodes with a disordered bulk structure for fast Li + diffusion and a Ca-enriched surface for minimizing the Mn dissolution.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Phase Stability and Kinetics of Topotactic Dual Ca 2+ –Na + Ion Electrochemistry in NaSICON NaV 2 (PO 4 ) 3

Recent reports of reversible calcium plating and stripping have rekindled interest in the development of Ca-ion batteries (CIBs) as next-generation energy storage devices. This technology has the potential to overcome the limitations of conventional Li-ion batteries, but CIBs are plagued by a paucity of suitable cathode materials. To date, NaSICON-structured NaV 2 (PO 4 ) 3 has been demonstrated as a successful cathode candidate, exhibiting reversible (de)intercalation of 0.6 mol Ca 2+ along with stable cycling performance. However, a complex multiphase mixture forms on discharge so the Ca-ion charge storage mechanism in the NaSICON framework is poorly understood. Here in this work, we report on an investigation of the structure and/or Na + /Ca 2+ environment(s) of a variety of chemically prepared NaSICON Ca x Na y V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 phases which were characterized using synchrotron XRD, SEM-EDS, 23 Na NMR, and TEM. Highly calciated CaV 2 (PO 4 ) 3 , Ca 1.5 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 , and CaNaV 2 (PO 4 ) 3 phases can be prepared at high temperature, but -unlike Ca 0.6 NaV 2 (PO 4 ) 3 -these materials are electrochemically inactive. To better understand the fundamental factors impacting successful Ca 2+ electrochemistry in this system, DFT was employed to examine the Ca x Na y V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 phase diagram and Ca 2+ diffusion mechanism. Theoretical insights show that phase separation into Na-rich and Ca-rich phases is a reason for the capacity limitation and demonstrate that Na + ions in the host materials assist the migration of neighboring Ca 2+ ions, enabling reversible electrochemistry in Ca x Na y V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 . This investigation of fundamental principles affecting reversible Ca 2+ (de)intercalation in Ca x Na y V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 allows for the development of design principles to enable the discovery of a variety of successful cathodes for CIBs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Thermal-Fluid Analysis of a Liquid-Cooled Battery Module for Electrified Aircraft

The development of safe, energy-dense batteries is critical to advancing hybrid electric and fully electrified aircraft propulsion. Achieving this capability requires a thermal management system that can maintain battery performance and safety under demanding operational conditions. The objective of this project is to support the maturation of next-generation lithium-ion batteries for electrified aircraft by conducting performance testing on integrated battery modules, specifically a 2-cell series configuration module housed within an aluminum enclosure. Designed to operate at a nominal 7.2 V with discharge rates up to 2.5C, the module will eventually be used to power an electric motor and DC-DC converter, generating substantial thermal loads that must be effectively managed to increase the usable energy and power density of electrified aircraft. To address these thermal challenges, this study presents the development and thermal-fluid analysis of a liquid-cooled thermal management system. While the full aircraft architecture utilizes an eight-string configuration, the present work evaluates a representative single-string water coolant loop to characterize baseline performance. The active cooling loop circulates water through a reservoir, pump, the battery module, and a variable area flow meter. Key performance metrics including component-level temperatures, mass flow rates, and pressure drops are quantified across the loop. Across discharge rates ranging from 0.5C to 2.5C, the active thermal loop consistently and effectively removed heat from the module, validating the design approach and confirming readiness for further development. The validated thermal performance indicates a path toward scalable battery modules that could enable energy and power dense systems for hybrid electric aircraft.

Electrified Aircraft↗
DOE OSTI2020

Sample Dependence of Magnetism in the Next-Generation Cathode Material LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2

We present a structural and magnetic study of two batches of polycrystalline LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 (commonly known as Li NMC 811), a Ni-rich Li ion battery cathode material, using elemental analysis, X-ray and neutron diffraction, magnetometry, and polarized neutron scattering measurements. We find that the samples, labeled S1 and S2, have the composition Li 1–x Ni 0.9+x–y Mn y Co 0.1 O 2 , with x = 0.025(2), y = 0.120(2) for S1 and x = 0.002(2), y = 0.094(2) for S2, corresponding to different concentrations of magnetic ions and excess Ni 2+ in the Li + layers. Both samples show a peak in the zero-field-cooled (ZFC) dc susceptibility at 8.0(2) K, but the temperature at which the ZFC and FC (field-cooled) curves deviate is substantially different: 64(2) K for S1 and 122(2) K for S2. The ac susceptibility measurements show that the transition for S1 shifts with frequency whereas no such shift is observed for S2 within the resolution of our measurements. Our results demonstrate the sample dependence of magnetic properties in Li NMC 811, consistent with previous reports on the parent material LiNiO 2 . Here, we further establish that a combination of experimental techniques is necessary to accurately determine the chemical composition of next-generation battery materials with multiple cations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Continuum-Level Modeling of Li-Ion Battery SEI by Upscaling Atomistically Informed Reaction Mechanisms

Understanding and controlling solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation to stabilize cell performance is a significant challenge for next-generation Li-ion battery technologies. In recent years, computational modeling has become an essential tool in providing fundamental insights into SEI properties and dynamics. However, neither atomistic nor continuum-level approaches alone can capture the complexities of SEI chemistry across all relevant length and time scales. In this work, a continuum-level model is developed that is informed by reaction mechanisms obtained from first-principle calculations. The atomistically informed continuum-level model is used to understand electrolyte degradation, including the decomposition of ethylene carbonate (EC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC). The model presented here is the most chemically complex continuum-level SEI model in the literature to date. The SEI model is calibrated against experimental irreversible leakage currents and shows qualitative agreement with expected SEI growth trends. The model framework is expected to accelerate fundamental understanding of SEI formation, facilitate mechanism development feedback, and dynamically interact with experimental insights.

continuum-level model↗
DOE OSTI2021

What is the Role of Nb in Nickel-Rich Layered Oxide Cathodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries?

Nickel-rich layered metal oxide LiNi 1–y–z Mn y Co z O 2 (1 – y – z ≥ 0.8) materials are the most promising cathodes for next-generation lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles. However, they lose more than 10% of their capacity on the first cycle, and interfacial/structural instability causes capacity fading. Coating and substitution are possible direct and effective solutions to solve these challenges. In this Letter, Nb coating and Nb substitution on LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 (NMC811) is easily produced through a scalable wet chemistry method followed by sintering from 400 to 800 °C. A Li-free Nb oxide treatment is found to remove surface impurities forming a LiNbO 3 /Li 3 NbO 4 surface coating, to reduce the first capacity loss and to improve the rate performance. Furthermore, Nb substitution stabilizes the structure, as evidenced by less heat evolution on heating, thus providing better long cycling stability with a 93.2% capacity retention after 250 cycles.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Slug-flow synthesis of NCMA: Effect of substitution of cobalt with aluminum on the electrochemical performance of Ni-rich cathode for lithium-ion battery

Nickle-rich Li[Ni 1-x-y Co x Mn y ]O 2 (x, y≤0.1) (NCM) layered materials are known as promising cathode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles owing to their high-reversible capacity and operating voltage of up to 3.6 vs Li/Li + . However, issues, such as irreversible phase transition, cation mixing, microcrack formation, thermal and structural stability of the material prevent its widespread adoption. Although, cation doping is a well-known technique to enhance the electrochemical performance of the NCM-based cathode material, the performance of the material is very sensitive to the doping amount. In this study, three Al-doped quaternary Ni-rich cathode materials Li[Ni 0.85 Co (0.1-x) Mn 0.05 Al x ]O 2 (where, x=0–0.04) (NCMA) are synthesized through three-phase slug-flow based continuous manufacturing process followed by high temperature calcination to study the effect of Aldoping on the performance of the cathode material while reducing Co. The slug flow-based production platform has several advantages, like particle size uniformity, high production rate, and homogeneity in elemental distribution. It is found that with an increase in Al content, the specific capacity decreases but the cyclic stability and rate capability increases. Furthermore, optimum Al-doping not only compensates for the adverse effect of low Co by decreasing the extent of cation mixing, but it also minimizes the electrode polarization and cracking of the particles.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

An inorganic-rich but LiF-free interphase for fast charging and long cycle life lithium metal batteries

Abstract Li metal batteries using Li metal as negative electrode and LiNi 1-x-y Mn x Co y O 2 as positive electrode represent the next generation high-energy batteries. A major challenge facing these batteries is finding electrolytes capable of forming good interphases. Conventionally, electrolyte is fluorinated to generate anion-derived LiF-rich interphases. However, their low ionic conductivities forbid fast-charging. Here, we use CsNO 3 as a dual-functional additive to form stable interphases on both electrodes. Such strategy allows the use of 1,2-dimethoxyethane as the single solvent, promising superior ion transport and fast charging. LiNi 1-x-y Mn x Co y O 2 is protected by the nitrate-derived species. On the Li metal side, large Cs + has weak interactions with the solvent, leading to presence of anions in the solvation sheath and an anion-derived interphase. The interphase is surprisingly dominated by cesium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, a component not reported before. Its presence suggests that Cs + is doing more than just electrostatic shielding as commonly believed. The interphase is free of LiF but still promises high performance as cells with high LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 loading (21 mg/cm 2 ) and low N/P ratio (~2) can be cycled at 2C (~8 mA/cm 2 ) with above 80% capacity retention after 200 cycles. These results suggest the role of LiF and Cs-containing additives need to be revisited.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Solid-State Calcium-Ion Diffusion in Ca 1.5 Ba 0.5 Si 5 O 3 N 6

Rechargeable batteries based on multivalent working ions are promising candidates for next-generation high-energy-density batteries. Development of these technologies, however, is largely limited by the low diffusion rate of multivalent ions in solid-state materials, thereby necessitating a better understanding of the design principles that control multivalent-ion mobility. We report Ca 1.5 Ba 0.5 Si 5 O 3 N 6 as a potential calcium solid-state conductor and investigate its Ca migration mechanism by means of ab initio computations and neutron diffraction. This compound contains partially occupied Ca sites in close proximity to each other, providing a unique mechanism for Ca migration. Nuclear density maps obtained with the maximum entropy method from neutron powder diffraction data provide strong evidence for low-energy percolating one-dimensional pathways for Ca-ion migration. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations further support a low Ca-ion migration barrier of ~400 meV when Ca vacancies are present and reveal a unique "vacancy-adjacent"concerted ion migration mechanism. This work provides a new understanding of solid-state Ca-ion diffusion and insights into the future design of novel cation configurations that utilize the interactions between mobile ions to enable fast multivalent-ion conduction in solid-state materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Investigating Multiscale Spatial Distribution of Sulfur in a CNT Scaffold and Its Impact on Li–S Cell Performance

Ever increasing demand on high energy density batteries positions sulfur as a very promising cathode material for next-generation energy storage due to its high theoretical capacity of 1675 mAh/g. Electronically sulfur is highly insulating, and therefore integration of a conducting framework such as a carbon nanotube (CNT) scaffold with sulfur is a key aspect of the cathode design. Despite numerous efforts dedicated to S-CNT cathode development, increasing sulfur loading to above 1 mg/cm 2 while maintaining the cycling stability of the Li–S cell remains challenging. This could be partly due to the lack of understanding of the spatial distribution of sulfur in the CNT matrix and its location with respect to the morphology of the CNT scaffold. We demonstrate herein that the sulfur has a hierarchical distribution in the CNT cathode at high sulfur loading (>5 mg/cm 2 ) spanning multiple length scales (from nanometer to submillimeter). Sulfur infiltration into the CNT rather than the sulfur loading plays a key role in determining the redox reaction kinetics, Li + ion diffusion, and the galvanostatic cycling capacity and stability of Li–S cells. This study provides new insights for the design and fabrication of high loading, binder-free sulfur–carbon-based cathode architectures for next-generation high energy Li–S batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Research advances on cobalt-free cathodes for Li-ion batteries - The high voltage LiMn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 as an example

LiMn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 is one of the most promising cathode materials for use in either next generation lithium-ion batteries or all solid-state batteries. However, despite the significant Research and Development (R&D) carried out throughout the last two decades the material has not made serious inroads into market. One of the major reasons is the lack of consistency in the reported intrinsic properties and electrochemical performance owing to major controversies in synthesis, crystal structure and bulk and interfacial properties of LiMn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 , notably in contact with electrolytes. This paper is a compelling review providing an assessment on the mainstream R&D dealing with the various crystal structures of LiMn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 and their evolutions observed during synthesis and cycling in correlation with their electrochemical performance. Influence of electrolytes and additives along with modifications through doping and surface treatments are interrelated, and the electronic and ionic transport properties of the ordered and disordered LiMn 1.5 Ni 0.5 O 4 phases are discussed. Overall, this review provides a detailed assessment on LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 and the underlying mechanisms governing its electrochemical performance broadly providing a focused framework for further advancement towards commercialization.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Long-Life, Ultrahigh-Nickel Cathodes with Excellent Air Storage Stability for High-Energy Density Lithium-Based Batteries

With increased energy density and cost advantage, ultrahigh-nickel layered oxides (LiNi x M 1-x O 2 , x = 0.9 - 1.0) are becoming front-runner as cathodes for next-generation lithium-based batteries, yet their commercialization is blocked both by severe capacity fade and exponentially aggravated air degradation. Thus, it is imperative to find effective solutions to address these issues simultaneously. Here, a significant enhancement in both the cycling and air storage stability of the ultrahigh-Ni cathode LiNi 0.94 Co 0.06 O 2 is achieved via a distinctive phosphoric acid treatment strategy. The modified cathode displays remarkably improved capacity retention (from 36 % to 80 % after 1,000 cycles) and rate capability (from 0 to 105 mA h g -1 at 30C rate) in pouch cells. Impressively, the modified cathode, after air storage for 450 days, maintains the morphology and 92% of the initial capacity of the fresh sample with excellent cyclability. Comprehensive interphase and structural analyses reveal that the enhanced electrochemical performance is due to a highly stabilized electrode/electrolyte interphase that suppresses electrode corrosion and lattice reconstruction. The excellent air stability results from an adsorption-buffering effect enabled by phosphoric acid to air attack. Finally, the study demonstrates an engineering pathway to improve the cycling and air stability, facilitating the practical viability of high-capacity, affordable, ultrahigh-Ni cathodes in lithium-based batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Overcoming the conversion reaction limitation at three-phase interfaces using mixed conductors towards energy-dense solid-state Li–S batteries

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) hold great promise for next-generation safe, durable and energy-dense battery technology. However, solid-state sulfur conversion reactions are kinetically sluggish and primarily constrained to the restricted three-phase boundary area of sulfur, carbon and solid electrolytes, making it challenging to achieve high sulfur utilization. Here, in this study, we develop and implement mixed ionic–electronic conductors (MIECs) in sulfur cathodes to replace conventional solid electrolytes and invoke conversion reactions at sulfur–MIEC interfaces in addition to traditional three-phase boundaries. Microscopic and tomographic analyses reveal the emergence of mixed-conducting domains embedded in sulfur at sulfur–MIEC boundaries, helping promote the thorough conversion of active sulfur into Li 2 S. Consequently, substantially improved active sulfur ratios (up to 87.3%) and conversion degrees (>94%) are achieved in Li–S ASSBs with high discharge capacity (>1,450 mAh g –1 ) and long cycle life (>1,000 cycles). The strategy is also applied to enhance the active material utilization of other conversion cathodes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Redox-flow batteries employing oligomeric organic active materials and size-selective microporous polymer membranes

Intermittent energy sources, including solar and wind, require scalable, low-cost, multi-hour energy storage solutions to be effectively incorporated into the grid. Redox-flow batteries offer a solution, but suffer from rapid capacity fade and low Coulombic efficiency due to the high permeability of redox-active species across the battery's membrane. Here we show that active-species crossover can be arrested by scaling the membrane's pore size to molecular dimensions and in turn increasing the size of the active material to be above the membrane's pore-size exclusion limit. When oligomeric redox-active organic molecules were paired with microporous polymer membranes, the rate of active-material crossover was either completely blocked or slowed more than 9,000-fold compared to traditional separators at minimal cost to ionic conductivity. In the case of the latter, this corresponds to an absolute rate of ROM crossover of less than 3 μmol cm−2 day−1 (for a 1.0 M concentration gradient), which exceeds performance targets recently set forth by the battery industry. This strategy was generalizable to both high and low-potential ROMs in a variety of electrolytes, highlighting the importance of macromolecular design in implementing next-generation redox-flow batteries.

Helms, Brett A.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Thermodynamics and kinetics of 2D g-GeC monolayer as an anode materials for Li/Na-ion batteries

Development of high capacity anode materials is one of the essential strategies for next-generation high-performance Li/Na-ion batteries. Rational design, using density functional theory, can expedite the discovery of these anode materials. Here, we propose a new anode material, germanium carbide, g-GeC, for Li/Na-ion batteries. Our results show that g-GeC possesses both benefits of the high stability of graphene and the strong interaction between Li/Na and germanene. The single-layer germanium carbide, g-GeC, can be lithiated/sodiated on both sides yielding Li 2 GeC and Na 2 GeC with a storage capacity as high as 633 mA h/g. Besides germagraphene’s 2D honeycomb structure, fast charge transfer, and high (Li/Na)-ion diffusion and negligible volume change further enhance the anode performance. These findings provide valuable insights into the electronic characteristics of newly predicted 2D g-GeC nanomaterial as a promising anode for (Li/Na)-ion batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Reaction heterogeneity in practical high-energy lithium–sulfur pouch cells

The lithium–sulfur (Li–S) battery is a promising next-generation energy storage technology because of its high theoretical energy and low cost. Extensive research efforts have been made on new materials and advanced characterization techniques for mechanistic studies. However, it is uncertain how discoveries made on the material level apply to realistic batteries due to limited analysis and characterization of real high-energy cells, such as pouch cells. Evaluation of pouch cells (>1 A h) (instead of coin cells) that are scalable to practical cells provides a critical understanding of current limitations which enables the proposal of strategies and solutions for further performance improvement. Herein, we design and fabricate pouch cells over 300 W h kg -1 , compare the cell parameters required for high-energy pouch cells, and investigate the reaction processes and their correlation to cell cycling behavior and failure mechanisms. Spatially resolved characterization techniques and fluid-flow simulation reveal the impacts of the liquid electrolyte diffusion within the pouch cells. We found that catastrophic failure of high-energy Li–S pouch cells results from uneven sulfur/polysulfide reactions and electrolyte depletion for the first tens of cycles, rather than sulfur dissolution as commonly reported in the literature. The uneven reaction stems from limited electrolyte diffusion through the porous channels into the central part of thick cathodes during cycling, which is amplified both across the sulfur electrodes and within the same electrode plane. A combination of strategies is suggested to increase sulfur utilization, improve nanoarchitectures for electrolyte diffusion and reduce consumption of the electrolytes and additives.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Sensor-based Prognostics for Safe Batteries for Electric Aircraft

With a new start awarded under CAS for Fiscal Year 2020, the Sensor-based Prognostics to Avoid Runaway Reactions and Catastrophic Ignition project, or SPARRCI, aims to eliminate safety risks of lithium-ion and next-generation lithium-based batteries. SPARRCI is taking a deeper dive into the inner workings of battery cells by introducing miniature multifunctional sensors within the cells to detect early signs of failure. Combined with nondestructive evaluation techniques to gather complementary battery health data, battery data will be monitored in real-time via prognostics which will ultimately be able to identify when the cell is exhibiting abnormal behavior bordering on failure, with the ability to provide early warning such that the battery may be taken offline prior to catastrophic failure events.

Brianne Demattia↗