UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA

Brief Description

A novel current collector design for use in rechargeable lithium metal batteries. This design prevents both dendrite formation on electrode surfaces and electrode volumetric change.

Background

Rechargeable lithium metal batteries promise energy density values three to five times higher than current lithium ion batteries, but they have yet to be practically utilized due to challenges in implementing reliable lithium metal electrodes. Such challenges include dendrite formation, which can lead to battery thermal runaway, and electrode volumetric changes, which threaten the structural integrity of a battery’s electrode and thus impede performance.

Description

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara have developed a novel current collector design for use in rechargeable lithium metal batteries. This design prevents both dendrite formation on electrode surfaces and electrode volumetric change. By solving both of these major problems associated with lithium metal electrodes, this invention gives high energy density lithium metal batteries the potential for safe and effective implementation into industry.

Advantages

•  Increases safety and reliability of high energy density lithium metal batteries by:

                  - Preventing dendrite formation on the electrode surface

                  - Eliminating electrode volumetric change

Applications

• Rechargeable Lithium Metal Batteries

This technology is available for licensing. Patent pending.

Patent Status

Patent Pending

Inventors

• Ji, Xiulei
• Stucky, Galen D.

Other Information

Contact

Shaun R. Juncal / juncal@tia.ucsb.edu / tel: View Phone Number. Please reference Tech ID #21969.

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