Professor of Materials Science, Lutgard De Jonghe, Steven Visco, and UC alumna, Dr. May-Ying Chu are three of the four founders of PolyPlus Batteries.
The Ford Motor Company patented the sodium-sulfur battery in 1965. It uses a solid electrolyte (beta aluminum) and liquid electrodes (molten sulfur and sodium). These batteries must be heated to around 325 C in order to operate because it is at these temperatures that sulfur and sodium will melt (i.e. be liquid). Thus, while offering high energy density and high efficiency, the high operating temperature was a significant drawback to their use in electric vehicles.
The PolyPlus Battery Company says they have achieved what other investigators have long sought: a solid-state or gel-state metal- sulfur battery system more powerful and safer than lithium chemistries. May-Ying Chu, a graduate of Cal, invented the lithium-sulfur battery system, based upon research begun by two UC professors.
The company’s founders have patented their advanced energy storage technology. The battery uses a solid electrolyte interface together with a lithium anode and sodium cathode. Besides receiving an eight million dollar grant from the federal government to move the battery from the laboratory to prototyping, PolyPlus has got the attention of Eveready and Samsung; these cells boast 2,800 Wh/kg, whereas lithium batteries top out at 200 Wh/kg.
Traction batteries need to be very high density. In addition to this primary capability such energy storage devices should be able to deliver high power pulses and capable of accepting high power recharge pulses. A lithium sulfur battery system promises to provide the high energy density required for vehicle traction.
The research and development company is working on this light-weight, high-efficiency and non-toxic battery at facilities located on Sixth Street in West Berkeley. PolyPlus is one of dozens of small Berkeley Entrepreneurs researching and developing new technologies that first germinated on the UC campus. PolyPlus founders and their 30 employees are enthusiastic that their battery represents “leapfrog” technology, explained Chu, who now is Vice President of Operations and wants the PolyPlus battery system ready for production by 2007.
One of the hold-up in development is battery life. The prototypes last for about 150 cycles. Manufacturers of consumer electronics can attest to customer dissatisfaction with short-lived rechargeable battery packs.
Because of its lighter weight and potential to foster many other developments, PolyPlus plans to license its technology to commercial manufacturers. PolyPlus itself has a license and royalty agreement with UC Berkeley, where two of its founders still work.
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