Summary:
UCLA researchers in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering have designed a MOF-based electrolyte modulator to mitigate the polarization of electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries for energy efficient electric vehicles.
Background:
To ensure a successful transition to electric vehicles, it is essential to develop low-cost batteries with high energy efficiency and long lifespans. Transport limitations of ions, however, may lead to the polarization of electrolytes within lithium-ion batteries. This is particularly an issue with EVs as they undergo many high current charge/discharge cycles during rapid charging, dynamic acceleration, and regenerative braking resulting in severe polarization that limits the battery’s efficiency. To improve the energy efficiency of EVs, it is critical to mitigate polarization in LIBs.
Innovation:
UCLA researchers in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering developed a MOF-based electrolyte modulator (MEM) strategy to effectively mitigate the polarization from the electrolyte and solid-electrolyte interface in LIBs. The invention successfully addressed the performance deterioration seen in LIBs when under strenuous operations. As a result, cells with MEM not only were more efficient than their counterparts, but their lifespan increased by a factor of 10. Furthermore, MEM-based cells subjected to dynamic stress tests offered boosted power outputs, improved energy output, and reduced energy decay which may enable faster acceleration, extended driving ranges, and a longer service life, respectively, for electric vehicles. The MEM-based strategy to reduce polarization in LIB is a critical development to help realize mass transportation systems with limited greenhouse gas emissions.
Potential Applications:
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Electric vehicles
Advantages:
- Excellent interfacial stability
- Exceptional longevity
- Increased energy efficiency
- Reduced energy decay
- Longer service life
- Easy to implement
Development to Date:
Invention has been conceived and fully described.
Related Materials:
Li, X., Xu, P., Tian, Y., Fortini, A., Choi, S. H., Xu, J., Tan, X., Liu, X., Chen, G., Zhang, C., Lu, X., Jin, L., Wang, Q., Shen, L., Lu, Y., Electrolyte Modulators toward Polarization-Mitigated Lithium-Ion Batteries for Sustainable Electric Transportation. Adv. Mater. 2022, 34, 2107787.
Reference:
UCLA Case No. 2022-116-1