Fuel Cell Systems and Electrochemical Energy Storage

Project Title:
Polymer Nanoarchitectures for Flexible Batteries

Principle Investigator(s):
Peter Kofinas (Bioengineering

Abstract:

	Electrolyte membrane constructed from the diblock copolymer PEO-b-(PMMA-ran-PMAALi) and the LiBOB salt. (picture taken shortly after removal from an argon glovebox)

In recent years, the interest in polymeric batteries has increased dramatically. With the advent of lithium batteries being used in cell phones and laptop computers, the search for an all solid state battery has continued. Current configurations have a liquid or gel electrolyte along with a separator between the anode and cathode. This leads to problems with electrolyte loss and decreased performance over time. The highly reactive nature of these electrolytes necessitate the use of protective enclosures which add to the size and bulk of the battery. Polymer electrolytes are more compliant than conventional inorganic glass or ceramic electrolytes. The goal of this research is to develop novel nanoscale polymer electrolyte flexible thin films based on the self-assembly of block copolymers for pulsed power capacitor and battery applications.

The ease of processing a polymer electrolyte using alternative non-solvent techniques would allow for the mass production of thin film nanoscale self-assembled flexible batteries that could be wound into coils or processed as coatings and sheets. A solid polymer electrolyte based on the nanoscale self-assembly of block copolymers will provide for devices with integrated electronics and yet be distributed over a large area substrate as freestanding flexible films or coatings. The active circuit components would be directly integrated on the flexible substrate. The substitution of current corrosive electrolytes would greatly augment the safety aspects of the battery or capacitor and would outmode the need for bulky protective casings. Such a light weight, shape versatile polymer electrolyte based battery system could find wide spread application as energy sources in miniature medical devices like pacemakers, wireless endoscopes, implantable pumps, treatment probes and untethered robotic mobile manipulators.

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