University of Massachusetts Amherst professor of mechanical and industrial engineering Wen Chen and his team will play a critical role in an ambitious multi-university/industry partnership to develop next-generation eco-friendly battery technology.
Because lithium-ion batteries can hold significant energy, they are used to charge portable electronic devices and electric vehicles and also to store electrical grid energy. There are significant drawbacks to the technology, however. While its materials are considered non-hazardous waste, they are not easily recycled. Because they contain flammable electrolytes, lithium-ion fires and explosions have happened. The roll-to-roll manufacturing process is inefficient and includes the use of toxic solvents, and, because the majority of critical elements are sourced from countries that may have geopolitical tensions with the U.S., the risk for supply chain disruptions is high.
The four-year, $2.7 million eco-manufacturing grant from the National Science Foundation will support fundamental research to eliminate these issues by creating a solid-state battery comprising Earth-abundant elements such as sodium, potassium, manganese and nickel through a direct ink writing, 3D printing form of sustainable manufacturing.
Chen’s team, with its $250,000 portion of the grant, will establish the project’s foundation by creating a 3D printed scaffold as the battery’s electrode material.
“Our award is trying to solve the issue of conventional...
Read Full Story: https://www.umass.edu/news/article/chen-collaborating-next-gen-battery-research
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