Argonne National Laboratory Tribal Internship Program

Argonne National Laboratory has been actively involved in the development of advanced batteries since the late 1960s when it initiated R&D on high-temperature lithium-sulfur batteries. In the early 1970s, the Department of Energy established its first independent battery test facility at Argonne and named it the National Battery Test Laboratory (NBTL), for the purpose of conducting independent evaluations on advanced battery technologies that were potential candidates for use in battery-powered electric vehicles. The NBTL incorporated a well-equipped post-test analysis laboratory that was instrumental in helping to identify life-limiting mechanisms with several candidate battery technologies. Even in these early days of the battery program, Argonne was internationally respected for its advanced battery work. Over the last 40 years, Argonne's battery program has evolved and expanded, becoming internationally recognized as a world-class center for lithium battery R&D.
Integrating Basic Research, Applied R&D, and Engineering: The current organization of Argonne's Electrochemical Energy Storage Department includes a battery test group and three battery R&D groups. The battery test laboratory changed its name to the Electrochemical Analysis and Diagnostics Laboratory (EADL), but it continues to provide DOE's transportation program and U.S. auto companies with the same type of independent evaluations, using standardized test protocols that the EADL helped to develop for DOE. The Department's three R&D groups cover the lithium battery landscape from the basic science perspective to the engineering design of batteries for specific applications. This integration of basic research, applied R&D, and engineering has played a key role in Argonne's success.

The integrated capabilities of the Department can be described using an example of the process it employs to develop more optimal materials and cell chemistries for a specific application. When existing cell chemistries suffer from life, inherent safety, or performance limitations, detailed diagnostic and electrochemical cell modeling studies are used to identify the limiting factors and new materials are developed to overcome these limitations. These can be new electrode materials with enhanced structural, chemical, electrochemical, and thermal stability that are designed (with the aid of ab initio modeling) to increase specific capacity, extend life, and/or enhance inherent safety. Additionally, with the aid of quantum mechanical modeling, electrolyte additives with the proper redox potentials and physicochemical properties are developed to help stabilize the electrode/electrolyte interfaces. These new materials are thoroughly characterized and compared with existing materials to provide assurance that they will help stabilize cell chemistry. Once the characterization work and preliminary aging studies verify enhanced stability, the materials are produced in sufficient quantity to allow thorough evaluations in hermetically sealed cells, which are obtained from industrial battery manufacturers. Argonne employs its detailed battery design model to develop the electrode design specifications, and the battery manufacturer coats electrodes and produces cells to Argonne's specifications. These hermetically sealed cells are then subjected to extensive accelerated aging and abuse tests to quantify the improvements relative to a baseline cell chemistry. Results from detailed diagnostic and modeling studies on these cells are then used to further refine and optimize the materials, if needed. Using this process, Argonne has developed a large portfolio of intellectual property on advanced materials that is available for licensing by the battery industry and its material suppliers.