Description:
Princeton Docket # 15-3142/3143/16-3237
Researchers in the Department of Chemistry and Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University have developed electrolyte formulations for magnesium-ion (Mg-ion) batteries that exhibit high conductivity, a large voltage window, and reversible magnesium electrodeposition. This technology enables the use of energy-dense metallic magnesium anodes with high-voltage magnesium-ion cathode materials in a cost-effective way.
The electrolyte of any battery system serves to shuttle ions between the cathode and anode. Rechargeable Mg-ion battery systems require an electrolyte that is capable of reversibly depositing metallic magnesium onto the anode surface, in addition to possessing high oxidative voltage stability for enabling use with high voltage cathode materials. A high conductivity is also beneficial, as this increases the ease with which ions can move through the electrolyte solution. While most Mg-ion electrolytes contain ions that corrode common battery materials at high voltages, multiple electrolyte formulations included in this invention do not incorporate these ions. The electrolyte syntheses can also be performed in a straightforward and inexpensive fashion using green chemical routes that bypass the need for highly reactive and flammable reagents. In total, this technology offers a suite of synthetic methodologies and compositions that can be used to accelerate the development of new Mg-ion battery materials for next-generation energy storage systems in large, medium, and small scale settings, in addition to applications in magnesium coatings and electrodeposition.
Applications
• Large-scale battery systems
• Electric vehicles
• Portable electronics
• Magnesium coatings
Advantages
• High conductivity and voltage stability
• Efficient, reversible magnesium electrodeposition
• Compatibility with standard Mg-ion cathode materials
• Facile, green synthesis route
Publications
J. T. Herb; C. A. Nist-Lund; C. B. Arnold. A Fluorinated Alkoxyaluminate Electrolyte for Magnesium-Ion Batteries. ACS Energy Lett. 2016, 1, 1227–1232.
Inventors
Craig B. Arnold is a Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University and the director the Princeton Institute for Science and Technology of Materials. His research ranges from basic science to applied technology aimed at developing a deeper understanding of fundamental materials synthesis and processing with interests in energy storage, laser materials processing, and amorphous materials. Previous awards include the ONR young investigator award and the NSF Career award and more recently, his work in high-speed variable focus optics won an R&D 100 award, the Laser Focus World-OSA technology innovation award, and the SPIE PRISM award for photonics innovation.
Jake Herb is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow in the Department of Chemistry at Princeton University with a background in electrochemistry and energy storage. His research focus is electrolytes for secondary magnesium-ion batteries, with interests in solid-state ionic conductors, ionic liquids, and nonaqueous electrolytes.
Intellectual Property & Development status
Patent protection is pending.
Princeton is currently seeking commercial partners for the further development and commercialization of this opportunity.
Contact
Michael R. Tyerech
Princeton University Office of Technology Licensing • (609) 258-6762• tyerech@princeton.edu