Silicon Consortium Project

As part of the Silicon Consortium Project, NREL is working with other national laboratories to eliminate barriers to implementing silicon-based anodes in lithium-ion cells.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office, the consortium also includes Argonne, Sandia, Oak Ridge, Pacific Northwest, and Lawrence Berkeley national laboratories.

Research

The consortium is tackling the barriers associated with the development of advanced lithium-ion negative electrodes based upon silicon as the active material, with a specific focus on understanding the formation and evolution of the solid electrolyte interphase to solve the calendar life challenge currently limiting the development of silicon anodes. The multidisciplinary team employs advanced characterization techniques, coupled with state-of-the-art research facilities across the national labs. This consortium covers a broad range of research—from foundational science related to the initial chemical interactions of organic electrolytes with silicon interfaces to the development of the full electrode and cell chemistry.