Summary
- $50 million awarded by US DOE for Low-cost Earth-abundant Na-ion Storage consortium
- Consortium led by Argonne National Laboratory to develop high-energy, long-lasting sodium-ion batteries
- Includes 6 national laboratories and 8 universities aiming to create sustainable and cost-effective sodium-ion batteries
- Sodium-ion batteries aim to diversify electric vehicle battery supply and reduce supply chain concerns
- Researchers will work on improving energy density of sodium-ion batteries while maintaining safety and performance metrics
Article
The US Department of Energy has allocated $50 million over the next five years to establish the Low-cost Earth-abundant Na-ion Storage (LENS) consortium, led by the Argonne National Laboratory. The aim of this consortium is to develop high-energy, long-lasting sodium-ion batteries as an alternative to lithium-ion technology. The consortium includes six national laboratories and eight universities, with the goal of creating a more sustainable and lower-cost option for electric vehicle batteries.
The LENS consortium seeks to develop sodium-ion batteries that will diversify the supply of electric vehicle batteries and address supply chain concerns. While lithium, cobalt, and nickel are currently dominant battery chemistries, the use of sodium, as an abundant element, can provide a wider variety of cost-effective options. However, sodium-ion batteries store less energy per unit weight and volume, which presents a challenge in competing with lithium-ion batteries.
One of the key challenges facing the consortium is improving the energy density of sodium-ion batteries to match or exceed that of phosphate-based lithium-ion batteries while minimizing the use of critical elements. Venkat Srinivasan, Director of the LENS consortium, emphasized the importance of ensuring that any improvements do not compromise other performance metrics such as cycle life and safety. The researchers from the national laboratories and universities within the consortium will focus on discovering and developing high-energy electrode materials, improving electrolytes, and designing and benchmarking battery cells.
An advisory board consisting of established and emerging companies will provide industry perspectives to help foster a US ecosystem for sodium-ion batteries. The goal is to nurture an industrial ecosystem for sodium-ion batteries in the United States. The consortium includes participation from various national laboratories such as DOE’s Brookhaven National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.
Overall, the establishment of the LENS consortium represents a significant investment in advancing the development of sodium-ion batteries as a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion technology. By bringing together a diverse group of national laboratories, universities, and industry experts, the consortium aims to address the challenges associated with sodium-ion batteries and pave the way for their widespread adoption in electric vehicles and other applications. Through collaborative research and development efforts, the consortium is poised to make a meaningful impact on the future of energy storage technology.
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