Cambridge EnerTech's Lithium Battery Materials & Chemistries conference provides in-depth coverage on the chemistries, both current and next-generation, that are shaping the future of energy storage. From novel electrode/electrolyte materials to higher-capacity
cathode/anode structures, this conference explores how to economically increase battery energy density.
Final Agenda
Thursday, November 1
8:00 am Morning Coffee
8:30 Organizer’s Welcome
Victoria Mosolgo, Conference Producer, Cambridge EnerTech
8:35 Chairperson’s Opening Remarks
Marca Doeff, Chemical Staff Engineer, Energy Storage Group, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
8:45 Generation and Evolution of Materials in the Anode Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) of Lithium Ion Batteries
Brett Lucht, PhD, Professor, Chemistry, University of Rhode Island
A solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is generated on the anode of lithium ion batteries during the first few charging cycles. The presence and stability of the SEI is critical to the performance of the battery. However, the mechanism of formation and
function are still poorly understood. An investigation of the structure of the anode SEI along with changes which occur to the SEI upon additional cycling has been conducted.
9:15 Micro-Sized, Carbon-Coated Porous Silicon Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries with High Volumetric Energy Density
Min-Kyu Song, PhD, Assistant Professor, Mechanical
& Materials Engineering, Washington State University
The development of Si anodes as a commercial product has been prevented mainly by two challenges: (i) large volume change and (ii) unstable surface of silicon during battery operation. In this presentation, scalable and green materials processing for
micro-sized Si with high tap density will be highlighted to extend cycle life and enhance the rate capability of Si anodes.
9:45 In situ Investigation of the Evolution of Materials and Interfaces in Batteries
Matthew T. McDowell, PhD, Assistant
Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
In my group, multiscale in situ techniques are used to reveal fundamental reaction dynamics. In situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to reveal transformation pathways
when FeS2 nanocrystals react with different alkali ions; these experiments revealed counter-intuitive fracture behavior. Additional research to understand interfacial behavior in solid-state batteries will also be discussed, as well as the use of
X-ray techniques to probe interfaces.
10:15 Sponsored Presentation (Opportunity Available)
10:30 Coffee Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing
11:00 Thermal Studies of Ni-Rich NMC Cathode Materials
Marca Doeff, Chemical Staff Engineer, Energy Storage Group, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
As the battery community turns to ever-higher Ni contents in NMC (LiNixMnyCozO2) cathode materials to maximize energy densities, there is a growing need to understand the electrochemical processes that occur during charge and discharge to solve issues
of safety and reduced cycle life. Our approach is to use a combination of synchrotron techniques, microscopy, and electrochemical characterization to understand the behavior of these materials, with a goal towards improving their robustness.
11:30 NMC Surfaces, Coatings and Interactions with Electrolytes and Additives
Hakim Iddir, PhD, Physicist, Material Science, Argonne National Laboratory
In this talk, I will present recent Density Functional Theory efforts along with experimental results aimed at gaining insights on the processes occurring at the cathode surfaces, such as elemental segregation, surface reconstruction, and interaction
with the alumina coating, and electrolytes.
12:00 pm Manufacturing Technology of All-Solid-State Thin-Film Lithium Secondary Battery for IoT Applications
Koukou Suu, PhD, General Manager, ULVAC, Inc.
All-Solid-state thin-film lithium secondary batteries are key to enabling technologies for standalone sensor devices which are essential for Internet of Things (IoT) solution. A detailed explanation will be given on the vacuum technologies such as
deposition technic (ingluding sputtering, evaporation) for the manufacturing of thin-film lithium secondary battery, in which we have successfully established reliable hardware and process technologies as mass-production technology for manufacturing
thin-film lithium secondary battery.
12:30 Session Break
12:45 Luncheon Presentation (Sponsorship Opportunity Available) or Enjoy Lunch on Your Own
1:15 Session Break
2:00 Chairperson’s Remarks
Alpesh Khushalchand Shukla, PhD, Senior Scientific Engineering Associate, National Center of Electron Microscopy, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
2:05 Ambiguities, Oversimplifications and Misinterpretations in Electron Microscopy Studies of Battery Materials: A Critical Case Study of NMC Cathode Materials
Alpesh Khushalchand Shukla, PhD, Senior
Scientific Engineering Associate, National Center of Electron Microscopy, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
For lithium-rich NMC, it will be shown how atomic resolution, HAADF STEM imaging using multiple zone axes, was critical in solving the structure while diffraction provided ambiguous results, while the opposite was true for electrochemically cycled
nickel-rich NMC. Examples of misinterpretation of electron microscopy data from published literature and a patent infringement case will be discussed.
2:35 High-Energy Lithium-Ion Cathode Development at Argonne National Laboratory
Jason Croy, PhD, Materials Scientist, Electrochemical
Energy Storage, Argonne National Laboratory
High-energy, low-cost, safe lithium-ion chemistries have been the main goals of battery research for many years. Historically, manganese-based cathodes have been studied for their attractive cost and safety characteristics but have yet to find success
as high-energy electrodes. This presentation will discuss advances in stabilizing manganese-rich electrodes structures and surfaces and present an overview of their electrochemical properties and potential as promising alternatives to more nickel/cobalt-rich
counterparts.
3:05 Design and Development of Air-Cathode for Li-Oxygen Batteries
James Wu, PhD, Engineer, NASA Glenn Research Center
3:35 Sponsored Presentation (Opportunity Available)
3:50 Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Last Chance for Poster Viewing
4:30 High-Energy Lithium-Ion Battery Using Substituted LiCoPO4
Jan L. Allen, PhD, Research Chemist, Lithium Ion Battery Research & Development, US Army Research Laboratory
There is a constant demand for higher specific energy density lithium-ion batteries. High energy can be achieved by choosing a cathode material that operates at a higher potential. LiCoPO4 operates at 4.8 V, giving a very high, theoretical energy
of ~800 Wh kg-1. However, LCP suffers a well-known capacity fade. Substituted LiCoPO4 delivers a reversible capacity of >140 mAh/g at C/3 rate with no capacity loss over hundreds of cycles.
5:00 Rational Design of Sulfur-Graphene Oxide Based Electrodes Enabling High Specific Energy Lithium/Sulfur Cells
Yoon Hwa, PhD, Chemical Engineering Postdoctoral Fellow, Energy Storage and Distributed Resources Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
The lithium/sulfur cell has attracted great attention among the beyond Li-ion technologies because of its potential to achieve a low-cost and high specific energy cell for EV applications. In this presentation, the strategies for rational design of
sulfur electrode toward a practical lithium/sulfur cell will be discussed.
5:30 Close of Day
8:00 - 9:00 am Battery Breakfast Breakout Discussion Groups - View Breakout Discussion Details
Grab coffee and breakfast and join a discussion group. These are moderated discussions with brainstorming and interactive problem solving, allowing conference participants from diverse backgrounds to exchange ideas and experiences and develop future
collaborations around a focused topic.
9:15 Chairperson’s Remarks
Scott A. Barnett, PhD, Professor, Materials Science & Engineering, Northwestern University
9:20 High Energy Density Electrodeposited Li-Ion Battery Electrodes
Paul Braun, PhD, CTO and Ivan Racheff Professor,
Materials Science and Engineering, Xerion Advanced Battery Corporation and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
We have made considerable advances in the electrodeposition of high performance tin and related Li-ion anodes and LiCoO2 and related Li-ion cathodes. The capacities are near-theoretical, and in the case of the electroplated oxides, the crystallinities
are comparable to oxide powders synthesized at much higher temperatures (700 ~ 1000°C). The electrodeposition method significantly broadens the scope of battery form factors and functionalities, enabling a variety of highly desirable battery
properties including microbatteries, and high energy, high power, and flexible designs.
9:50 Modulating Lithium Plating Behavior with External Thermal Gradients
Corey Love, PhD, Materials Research Engineer, Alternative Energy & Chemistry, US Naval Research Laboratory
10:20 Advanced Electrode Processing for High Energy Density Lithium-Ion Batteries
Jianlin Li, PhD, Research Scientists, Energy &
Transportation Science, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
This presentation will discuss advanced electrode processing methods to integrate high energy density electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries.
10:50 Networking Coffee Break
11:15 Three-Dimensional Tomography Studies of Li-Ion Battery Electrodes
Scott A. Barnett, PhD, Professor, Materials Science & Engineering, Northwestern University
This talk reviews three-dimensional tomographic imaging of commercial lithium-ion battery electrodes such as LiFePO4, LiCoO2, and LiCoO2/Li(Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3)O2. After briefly reviewing the measurement techniques, the structural results are described,
including imaging of both oxide and carbon phases. Attempts to correlate changes in electrode microstructure with changes in cell performance after cycling are described. Three-dimensional simulations of the charge/discharge process based on measured
three-dimensional microstructures are discussed.
11:45 Nanostructured Electrode Coatings for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries
Mark C. Hersam, Walter P. Murphy Professor
of Materials Science and Engineering, Professor of Chemistry, Medicine, and Electrical Engineering (by courtesy), Director, Northwestern University Materials Research Center
Here, we demonstrate a materials and processing platform that realizes high-performance nanostructured lithium-ion battery cathodes with conformal graphene coatings as a conductive additive. The resulting nanostructured composite cathodes concurrently
resolve multiple problems that have plagued nanoparticle-based lithium-ion battery electrodes including low packing density, high additive content, and poor cycling stability.
12:15 pm Sponsored Presentation (Opportunity Available)
12:45 Session Break
12:50 Luncheon Presentation (Sponsorship Opportunity Available) or Enjoy Lunch on Your Own
1:20 Session Break
2:00 Chairperson’s Remarks
Venkat Anandan, PhD, Research Scientist, Energy Storage Research Department, Ford Motor Company
2:05 Opportunities and Challenges in Solid State Batteries for EV Applications
Venkat Anandan, PhD, Research Scientist, Energy Storage Research Department, Ford Motor Company
Solid state batteries are considered as one of the promising next-generation technologies beyond Li-ion batteries. They could provide higher energy density and better safety than the conventional Li-ion batteries. Though they have significant advantages,
their development is still hindered with several challenges. In this talk, I will review the current state of the art of solid state batteries and discuss the challenges and opportunities that exist in developing solid state batteries for EV applications.
2:35 Garnet-Based Advanced Solid-State Batteries
Liangbing Hu, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Maryland College Park
In this talk, I will discuss the following aspects of our advanced solid-state batteries using garnet electrolyte: Various interface engineering materials for Li metal and Garnet, Si, metals and alloys, Cathode-garnet interface engineering,
in situ neutron depth profiling technique in understanding Li-garnet and CNT-garnet interfaces and 3D Li metal batteries using bilayer and tri-layer Garnet 3D structures.
3:05 Making Better Batteries with Hierarchically Structured High Nickel Content Layered Oxide Materials with Surface Robustness
Huolin Xin, PhD,
Associate Scientist, Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory
The results of a new class of hierarchically structured high nickel content materials obtained from our newly developed multi-scale characterization techniques will be reported, including aberration-corrected STEM, EELS, XRD, XAS. These results show
that such multi-scale combined characterization tools can help us study cation intermixing at the atomic scale and the formation of internal nano-pore structure at the primary particle level and understand its impact on the formation of micro-cracks
in the secondary particle hierarchical structures.
3:35 Safe, High-Current & High-Energy-Density, Solid-State Li-Batteries
Eric D. Wachsman, PhD, Professor & Director, University of Maryland Energy Research Center; William L. Crentz Centennial Chair, Energy Research, University of Maryland
We have developed intrinsically safe, all-solid-state Li-ion batteries (SSLiBs) by incorporating high-conductivity garnet-type solid Li-ion electrolytes into tailored tri-layer microstructures, by low-cost fabrication techniques, to form electrode-supported
dense thin-film (~10μm) solid-state electrolytes.
4:05 Ion Conductivity and Stability of Interfaces Involving Solid Electrolytes
Michael, Zachman, PhD, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
The primary challenge associated with solid electrolytes lies at their interfaces, including interfaces within the electrolyte and those formed with the electrodes. Multiple, coupled interfacial phenomena are often involved and are confined at a very
small length scale, rendering interfacial studies extremely challenging. This presentation introduces our recent studies of elucidating the stability and conductivity of interfaces between solid electrolytes, such as LIPON and PEO, with lithium
metal.
4:35 Conference Wrap-Up
4:45 Close of Lithium Battery Materials & Chemistries Conference