Platform Grant Renewal - Materials for Lithium Batteries

Rechargeable lithium batteries have transformed potable electronics (2 billion cells p.a. in 2009). They are a technology of choice for the electrification of transport and will contribute to balancing the intermittency of electricity supply from renewable sources with consumer demand (load levelling). In short, their high energy density will make them a vital technology in the 21st century, important in tackling climate change. However to achieve the step-change in lithium battery performance necessary to meet the formidable challenges of new markets, such as transport and load levelling, as well as future portable devices, it is essential to investigate radical new ideas and new approaches for the anodes, electrolytes and cathodes and to sustain their study for many years, in order to realise their potential. Achieving this goal demands a long-term strategic approach that embraces high risk research and sustained effort. Here we propose to investigate new ideas and approaches, to continue the investigation of topics introduced under our previous Platform Grant, e.g. the Li-air battery, nanostructured electrodes and crystalline polymer electrolytes, to engage with the best groups nationally and internationally, to engage with private and public sector stakeholders and further the careers of the best research personnel in the group.

The reasearch enabled by the Platform Grant has significant potential for impact beyond academia in the private, public, third sectors and society as a whole. Breakthroughs in lithium battery research would impact on the battery and portable electronics industries. Given that some 25% of CO2 emissions arise from transportation and that lithium batteries are a technology of choice for future electric vehicles to mitigate such emissions, our research has potential for significant impact within the transport industry in the UK and world wide. Some 30% of CO2 emissions are associated with electricity generation and lithium batteries are now regarded as a key energy storage technology for balancing the intermittent supply from renewables with consumer demand; there are already major programmes in USA and Japan dedicated to lithium batteries for load levelling. Hence our research on lithium batteries will have impact on the electricity industry. As materials are key to advances in lithium batteries, our work has potential impact on the energy materials industry. The key role of lithium batteries in addressing climate change makes them of strategic relevance to government and non-governmental organisations. Research on lithium batteries has the potential to change the energy landscape and policy/decision makers need to know and will be influenced by such developments. For example, government policy towards investment in transportation, power generation and energy policy generally will be affected by advances in lithium batteries. The role of lithium batteries in reducing CO2 emissions means that research in this field has impact on environmental agencies and the public as a whole. In a recent report to the Scottish Government EA Technologies have named high energy density batteries as a research priority for the development of clean energy.