Innovative Basic Research Toward Creation of High-performance Battery

Core Researcher

Lithium secondary batteries are a power storage system with excellent high-density energy storage. They can be used as a power source on portable devices. However, when considering large scale operations such as electric vehicles and solar and wind power generation, there is a demand for further advances toward high capacity and high output batteries. In order to achieve a power source that is capable of driving an electric car using purely electrical energy, an energy density of 700 Wh/kg is required.This level of performance, capable of replacing the internal combustion engine, does not exist on the current trajectory of battery device design. An innovation is required that produces a battery technology that can store power using a completely new concept that defies the current common wisdom.

This proposed research targets the development of a post lithium ion battery technology that designs and synthesizes battery materials on the atomic and molecular levels based on the ideal battery material, without being limited to existing battery materials. Researchers that represent Japan from the fields of chemistry and physics will participate in this research as central researchers, joint researchers and core members. They will work towards interdisciplinary integration through organic cooperation and do basic research such as:

(i) Designing rational device materials on the atomic and molecular level (active materials, electrodes, electrolytes, separators, etc.)
(ii) Developing new-concept storage batteries
(iii) Developing high level analysis and interpretation technologies
(iv) Developing material computation and simulation technologies This basic research will develop the component technologies of post-lithium ion batteries a step ahead of the world. Through the above steps it will design new-concept battery systems, synthesize revolutionary new materials and establish cutting edge simulation and measurement/analysis technologies.