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Energy materials
ICPET
is pioneering research and development on materials for electrochemical energy
storage and delivery systems. Research is focused on two areas: advanced lithium battery
technology and solid
oxide fuel cell development.
This research has led to
significant progress for analyzing and testing energy materials, as well as
developing new methods for fabricating materials such as ion conducting ceramics for energy
applications. Research results have led to a number of patented
technologies with strong commercial potential. ICPET expertise in energy
materials research and development is available to the research community,
material suppliers and battery and fuel cell manufacturers.
Advance lithium battery
technology
Lithium ion batteries are the power source of
choice for portable electronic devices such as cellular telephones, portable
computers and personal schedulers. Lithium ion batteries operate by shuttling
lithium ions between a graphitic carbon anode and a lithium cobalt oxide
cathode. However, cobalt is an expensive and relatively rare material. A large
part of the cost of manufacturing lithium ion batteries can be attributed to
the cobalt content of the cathode. If a less expensive alternative to the
lithium cobalt oxide cathodes could be found, lithium ion technology would have
greater potential in applications that require large power sources, such as
electric or hybrid electric vehicles.
At ICPET, the energy materials
group has assisted Canadian companies to develop cobalt-based and alternative
cathode materials. NRC has
patented four manganese-based cathode materials and holds two patents on
alternative electrolytes for lithium ion batteries.
Solid oxide fuel cell
development
Environmental pressures are driving the need to
develop cleaner, more efficient energy generation systems. With potentially
higher energy-conversion efficiencies and low greenhouse gas emissions, fuel
cells are key to meeting environmental challenges. Globally, a huge research
investment has been made in developing fuel cells. Now a number of these
systems are at, or near, commercial availability. However, there are still a
number of technical challenges remaining before fuel cell technology can be
completely integrated into markets. These challenges include lowering the cost
of this technology, as well as increasing the reliability and durability of
fuel cells. Canada has been a leader in fuel cell technology development for
many years and, in August 1999, NRC established the National Fuel Cell Research and
Innovation Initiative to support and encourage this growing sector of
the Canadian economy.
ICPET's energy materials group has applied
expertise in ceramics engineering and materials science to developing advanced
materials for solid oxide fuel cells. Solid oxide fuel cells offer some
technical advantages over other fuel cell systems. They have the highest energy
conversion efficiency and can reform fuel gases internally. Due to these
advantages, solid oxide fuel cells may prove to be the preferred technology for
stationary fuel cell applications related to heating, air conditioning and
electrical co-generation.
Synthesizing ceramic materials for energy
applications
ICPET has developed new processes, using
microwaves, to synthesize ceramic materials for battery and fuel cell
applications. Microwaves can enhance the speed and energy efficiency at which
these materials are synthesized. Unique characteristics of the interaction of
inorganic materials with microwaves provide opportunities to develop completely
new synthetic routes and to make new and known compositions with unusual
crystal structures and morphologies.
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Interaction
of metallic oxides with microwaves.
The oscillating electromagnetic
field in a microwave oven causes free electrons in some inorganic solids, such
as metallic oxides, to rapidly move back and forth. This heats the material
through resistive losses.
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Oxide ion conductors
With world-class facilities and expertise in preparing oxide ion conductors, in
addition to conducting sophisticated oxide ion conductivity measurements, the
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine (London, England) and
ICPET are working together under a joint research program. Researchers at the
Imperial College are combining their expertise in preparing and characterizing
oxide ion conductors with ICPET's microwave processing capabilities. The aim of
this research is to advance the development of lower temperature oxide ion
conductors for fuel cells and ceramic oxygen generators.
Thermal stability evaluations
ICPET
researchers are assisting Canadian and international companies in assessing the
thermal stability of battery materials, either individually or in combination
with other battery components.
Air worthiness
assessments
In a collaborative research project with
Canada's Department of National Defence (Defence
R&D Canada, DRDC), ICPET
researchers have evaluated the airworthiness of batteries used by the Canadian
Forces in devices that monitor chemical agents.
- Application design materials for batteries, fuel cells and
other electrochemical devices.
- Evaluations of battery and fuel cell technologies.
- Ceramics processing and engineering.
- Microwave processing of inorganic materials in air or inert
atmospheres.
- Air sensitive materials handling.
These capabilities are supported by additional ICPET expertise and
facilities for materials characterization. For a list of complementary
capabilities, see materials
characterization.
Research and development in energy materials requires a
multidisciplinary approach. ICPET's energy materials research group combines
expertise in solid-state chemistry, ceramics engineering and electrochemistry.
ICPET skills and expertise are focused on developing advanced materials and
designing innovative devices for emerging technologies related to power
sources. These emerging technologies will meet the growing demands of power
suppliers and users who seek better energy efficiency; extended operating time
before recharges; and miniaturization of components, particularly for
electronic devices.
Services and
technologies
A number of research and technical services, as
well as licensed and licensable
technologies, are available from ICPET:
Coin test cell battery materials evaluation
system
An ICPET technology package, to evaluate cell battery materials,
is available for licensing. Designed for, but not limited to lithium and
lithium ion cell materials, this technology package uses the equipment and
procedures developed for materials evaluation at NRC. The package includes:
- coin cell closing equipment, suitable for use in a dry room or
inert atmosphere chamber;
- 2325 coin cells of 430 B.A. S.S. and proprietary high voltage
resistant steel;
- ancillary equipment to expedite cell fabrication.
The package allows:
- the use of lithium or lithium ion counter electrodes;
- the use of thick or thin electrodes (0.04 to 1 mm);
- the use of liquid or polymer electrolytes; and
- can include basic instruction in electrode fabrication.
Research information:
E-mail Dr. Isobel
Davidson
Business information:
E-mail Kevin Jonasson
Employment
information:
For employment opportunities at NRC, please go
to NRC
Careers.
ICPET research
publications:
Research
publications on Energy Materials.
ICPET
research partners:
A list of links to internet sites of
companies, departments and organizations that work with
ICPET.
Imperial
College of Science, Technology and Medicine (London,
England)
Department of National Defence (Defence R&D Canada,
DRDC)
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