July 8, 2014
Silicon sponge improves lithium-ion battery performance
By Frances White, PNNL RICHLAND, Wash. – The lithium-ion batteries that power our laptops and electric vehicles could store more energy and run longer on a single charge with the help of a sponge-like silicon material. Researchers developed the porous material to replace the graphite traditionally used in one of the battery’s electrodes, as silicon has […]

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January 27, 2014
Commercialization License to Advance Batteries for Renewable Energy Storage
By Frances White, originally published by PNNL A Massachusetts startup has signed a license agreement with Battelle to commercialize battery technology that can help store large amounts of renewable energy and improve the reliability of the nation’s power grid. The license with Lowell, Mass.-based WattJoule Corporation is expected to advance the commercial use of redox […]

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January 2, 2014
Batteries as they are meant to be seen
By Mary Beckman, PNNL Researchers have developed a way to microscopically view battery electrodes while they are bathed in wet electrolytes, mimicking realistic conditions inside actual batteries. While life sciences researchers regularly use transmission electron microscopy to study wet environments, this time scientists have applied it successfully to rechargeable battery research. The results, reported in December 11’s […]

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