07/01/2017
Below is a tidbit from our SBIR application, this was submitted as our Letter of Intent. Currently we are working towards submitting the full application for $150,000 which is due 02/07/2017. Wish us luck!
Goal: Create rapidly rechargeable batteries made from sustainable materials that are biodegradable.
Significance: Batteries today have many barriers preventing advancement of other technologies. Applications which require large amounts of energy for long term storage or require lighter weight systems create obstacles for electrical system design. We want to design energy storage devices which have tailorable properties for the needs of various applications. Society needs energy storage systems able to uptake large amounts of energy rapidly and slowly release this energy at controlled rates based on specification needs. This ability will present usefulness in many electronics. Individual examples include transportation, aerospace, wearable technologies, and renewable energy.
Innovation: We want to use high throughput screening methods to identify new materials to optimize traditional battery components. Based on the advancement of principles of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and electrochemistry, we would like to integrate these understandings into the optimization of traditional battery components to make superior systems. Through use of intrinsically conductive polymers, ultraporous plant matrices, ionic liquids, and customizable membranes, we believe we can make batteries which demonstrate superior capacitance, weight characteristics, and rechargeability. Our aim is to make these systems out of renewable sources to eliminate the need for exotic materials for our components.
Hypothesis: Through selective screening methods we believe we can identify configurations of new materials which demonstrate superior characteristics useful in energy storage technologies. We want to identify and integrate these configurations into traditional battery design to fabricate superior performing batteries.
Aim 1. Fabricate proof of concept composites which demonstrate the ability to use polymers, ionic liquids, and plant based materials, to optimize batteries.
Aim 2. Use high throughput screening methods to optimize each component of a battery. Vary materials and their attributes to understand and identify useful relationships for electrochemistry optimization.
Aim 3. Use what was learned to fabricate a new type of AA battery which is biodegradable, rapidly rechargeable, and has superior capacity in comparison to a modern day alkaline AA battery.
For the end of Phase 1 we aim to have characterized some materials in which we want to make our first product with, an AA battery alternative which is better for the environment and better performing than its traditional alternative.
For the end of Phase 2 we would like to translate what was learned through our selection processes into a technology that can be 3D printed to make composite materials which serve as interior components for electric vehicles and as the energy storage system for the application.
