Solar energy and battery

About

Professor Wang’s research involves rational material design and precise synthesis control to solve current problems in solar systems; his technologies will advance the field of solar energy and battery design. Background  Lithium-ion batteries are popular in consumer electronics and are common in devices which need to be periodically charged, such as cell phones and laptops. Crystalline silicon (cSi) is appealing as an anode for a Li-ion battery due to its theoretical charge capacity of 4200 mAh/g, however it undergoes volumetric changes during charging which crack and destroy typical anode structures. By distributing Si nanoparticles over a network of TiSi2 nanowires, this technology provides a cSi anode which accommodates volumetric changes without self-destructing. The cSi holds Li ions (i.e., as Li14Si5) when charged, while the TiSi2 conducts current into or out of the electrode. Features and Benefits / Advantages  Constructed from abundant and inexpensive materials, and can be manufactured with familiar carbon vapor deposition techniques.  Sample anodes were fabricated in the lab and found to retain a 1000 mAh/g capacity within 99% after 100 cycles.  Provides rechargeable batteries with a potentially significantly longer life than existing technologies. Has potential to supply high current or high voltage batteries.