the u.s. department of energy’s national renewable energy laboratory (nrel) announced that it has entered into an agreement with colorado-based, innovative materials company forge nano to commercialize its patented materials and systems that allow batteries to operate safely in high-stress environments.

nrel has signed an agreement with forge nano for commericalizing its 
battery technology. (wikimedia commons)

one of the main features of the nrel technology is the encapsulation of materials in solid electrolyte coatings that the lab insists can meet the demands of any battery application.

the announcement explained, “these lithium-ion batteries feature a hybrid solid-liquid electrolyte system, in which the electrodes are coated with a solid electrolyte layer. this layer minimizes the potential for the formation of an internal short circuit between electrodes to prevent ‘thermal runaway,’ or the uncontrolled increase in battery cell temperature that can result in a fire or an explosion.”

the coating of the electrode also enables designers to utilize thinner separators in high-power devices, which reduces weight and cost without sacrificing performance, safety, or the life of the battery.

forge nano was formerly known as pneumaticoat technologies and specializes in the manufacturing of atomic layer deposition (ald) encapsulated materials, according to the announcement.

the announcement added, “forge nano presented its technology at the 2013 and 2017 nrel industry growth forum, the nation's premier clean energy investment event. a year later, nrel approached the company as a potential licensee after conducting a licensee search in the battery technology area.”

forge nano ceo paul lichty said, “this license agreement will allow forge nano to offer further customized lithium-ion battery materials for high performance devices by utilizing our patented high-throughput ald system that has already been successfully tested at the pilot scale and in large format pouch cells.”

the nrel said that it currently has more than 800 technologies available for licensing and more information can be found at https://techportal.eere.energy.gov.