As a new energy storage system that bridges the gap between conventional supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries, lithium-ion hybrid batteries LIHBs) are a promising candidate for applications which require a high energy density, high power density, and excellent durability, such as hybrid electric vehicles. Since they combine high energy density with high power density, there is no need for additional electrical storage devices, resulting in reduced cost of ownership. HICO Tech, in partnership with the Pennsylvania State University PSU), is poised to make the technological breakthroughs necessary for developing novel Si-based LIHBs with high energy and power densities as well as long cycling lives to bridge the performance of supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries. This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will advance and scale up the synthesis of boron-doped silicon/carbon B-Si/C) composite materials with good cycling stability and high rate performance. These B-Si/C composites will then be combined with high-surface- area porous carbon cathodes to fabricate LIHBs with high energy and power densities. The electrochemical performance of these LIHBs will be evaluated at the pouch cell level to show the advantages of Si-based anodes over commercial counterparts. These advanced boron-doped silicon/carbon composites can allow for a significant increase in energy density of lithium-ion hybrid batteries, which is critical for numerous applications, particularly in hybrid electric vehicles. Meeting the vast demand for advanced Li- ion hybrid batteries with the use of Si anodes will certainly require both new Si materials and new innovations. This funding opportunity can transfer high-performance Si-C anode technology from a U.S. university to a small business. This will create a path to significant technology breakthroughs, bringing the university-designed technology from the lab scale to economically- viable large-scale manufacturing, ultimately leading to mass consumer adoption. Based on our past work and the goals of this project, our high-performance Si materials will give us a strong competitive advantage that enables fabrication of LIHBs with high energy and power densities.
