Improved Lithium Batteries

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Fed scientists work on improved batteries

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Scientists at the U.S. Energy Department-funded Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico are finding ways to make lithium-ion batteries work longer.

The research could lead to these batteries being used in new hybrid electric vehicles during in the next five to 10 years.

"Batteries are a necessary part of hybrid electric-gasoline powered vehicles and someday, when the technology matures, will be part of hybrid electric-hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles," said Dan Doughty, manager of Sandia's Advanced Power Sources Research and Development Department. "Current hybrid vehicles use nickel-metal hydride batteries, but a safe lithium-ion battery will be a much better option for the hybrids."

Doughty said a lithium-ion battery has four times the energy density of lead-acid batteries and two to three times the energy density of nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries. It also has the potential to be one of the lowest-cost battery systems.

Doughty's department receives about $1.5 million annually to improve the safety, lengthen the lifetime, and reduce costs of lithium-ion batteries.

Sandia is a National Nuclear Security Administration laboratory.