NU 2023-216, 2022-100
INVENTORS David C. Dunand * Samuel M. Pennell
SHORT DESCRIPTION A new iron-based composite with ultra-high stability and durability as a battery material for grid-scale energy storage.
BACKGROUND The global shift towards renewable energy necessitates efficient storage solutions for intermittent power, which is crucial for maintaining uninterrupted energy supplies. Although large-scale lithium-ion batteries have been a prevalent solution, lithium's scarcity and flammability compromise safety and economic viability. Thus, enhancing the share of renewable energy requires exploring cost-effective and safer materials for large-scale energy storage.
ABSTRACT Northwestern researchers have developed an iron (Fe)-based composite that offers a breakthrough innovation for storing excess renewable power. This new material is synthesized with raw materials that are economical, abundant and nonflammable and is easily produced through ball milling and sintering process steps. These characteristics render this composite to be a safer and more cost-effective alternative than lithium-based technologies when fabricated into rechargeable oxide battery (ROB) devices. ROB devices convert a fixed amount of steam into hydrogen which is then fed directly into a connected reversible solid oxide fuel cell for electricity generation, thereby eliminating the need for storing flammable hydrogen gas. The raw materials are economical, abundant, and nonflammable, rendering this composite a safer and more cost-effective alternative than lithium-based technologies. The new powder composition enhances system durability, preventing iron aggregation during charge/discharge cycles. The Fe-based composites also show excellent resistance to degradation at 800 °C with fast reaction kinetics maintained up to at least 100 deep steam-hydrogen redox cycles. Further, initial tests demonstrate that it outperforms existing Fe-based battery materials, suggesting that it can potentially revolutionize the ROB grid storage industry.
APPLICATIONS
ADVANTAGES
PUBLICATION Pennell, S. M., Chappius, B., Carpenter, J. A., Dunand, D. C. (2023) Hierarchically Porous Iron Alloys with High Sintering Resistance During Cycling Steam Oxidation and Hydrogen Reduction. Adv. Funct. Mat.
IP STATUS A provisional patent has been filed.
INVO CONTACT Phil Carter, PhD Associate Director Strategic Alliances (e) phillip.carter@northwestern.edu
Pictorial schematic showing the discharge (left) and recharge (right) cycles of the iron-based rechargeable oxide battery (ROB) device.