Media Tip: A new blueprint for designing high-performance batteries

A team of scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory have discovered an intriguing ​“cooperative” behavior among components in batteries that points to an exciting new approach to designing next-generation technologies. The team found that combining two different types of anions, negatively charged ions, with cations, positively charged ions, can significantly improve the overall battery’s performance.

Media Tip: An ingredient in toothpaste may make electric cars go farther

An ingredient in many toothpastes is sodium fluoride, a compound of fluorine. It is added to protect teeth against decay. But compounds containing fluorine have other practical uses that might surprise you. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory scientists have discovered a fluoride electrolyte that could protect a next generation battery against performance decline.

Media Tip: Previously unknown pathway to batteries with high energy, low cost and long life

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory scientists have discovered a new pathway to enhance lithium-sulfur batteries, addressing their major drawback of short lifetimes. The discovery, published in Nature, reveals a previously unknown reaction mechanism that overcomes rapid performance decline in lithium-sulfur batteries.

Media Tip: Cathode innovation makes sodium-ion battery an attractive option for electric vehicles

The U.S, Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory researchers have invented and patented a new cathode material that could pave the way for eco- and budget-friendly electric vehicles. The material is inspired by earlier work at Argonne that led to the lithium-ion batteries in the Chevy Volt and Bolt. It could help the supply of low-cost and abundant elements for electric vehicle batteries.

A revolution in the making

Argonne National Laboratory is shaping Industry 4.0 with groundbreaking research into advanced ways of making things more effective, efficient and economical, using the most cutting-edge materials and processes, with the lowest possible environmental impact.

Plastic production via advanced recycling lowers GHG emissions

Research by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory reveals that recycling post-use plastic through pyrolysis can reduce GHG emissions by 18-23%. Approach can potentially enhance sustainability by minimizing waste and fossil resource reliance.

A new look at the electric vehicle supply chain as battery-powered cars hit the roads en masse

Researchers at Argonne have published a series of reports that look at how production of electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries for cars are reshaping the transportation sector, with impacts ranging from job creation to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Argonne points the way to a sustainable circular economy for plastics

Argonne scientists are studying the environmental and economic impact of plastic bottles using mechanical, chemical and upcycling recycling approaches.

U.S. Department of Energy and Stellantis announce the Battery Workforce Challenge

BattChallenge is a three-year competition joining universities with vocational partners, such as community colleges, trades and apprenticeship programs, to design, build, test and integrate an advanced EV battery into a future Stellantis vehicle.

Argonne is helping U.S. companies advance battery recycling technology and strengthen the nation’s battery supply chain

Companies from across the United States have partnered with the experts at Argonne to advance their battery reuse and recycling projects, thanks to funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Sixbert Muhoza studies a new class of materials that could help fight climate change

A scholar in Argonne’s Applied Materials Division, Sixbert Muhoza is studying a new class of materials called MXenes that could improve batteries and help convert carbon dioxide to fuel.

Argonne drops data on the question of efficient drone use for e-commerce deliveries

New models developed by Argonne can help industry discover the energy impact of drone delivery for e-commerce goods. A new study focuses on drone energy consumption compared to using conventional diesel trucks and battery-operated electric vehicles.

Li-Bridge outlines steps for U.S. to double annual lithium battery revenues to $33 billion and provide 100,000 jobs by 2030

A public-private alliance, convened by the U.S. Department of Energy and managed by Argonne National Laboratory, released an action plan to accelerate the creation of a robust domestic manufacturing base and supply chain for lithium-based batteries.

5 Ways Argonne is driving auto innovation

Spotlighting Argonne innovations in electric vehicles during the Chicago Auto Show.

Three Argonne researchers inducted into AAAS

John Mitchell, Valerie Taylor and Lisa Utschig were selected by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to be inducted as fellows.

George Crabtree, energy trailblazer remembered as a ​“great listener” and ​“boundless explorer”, dead at 78

George Crabtree, director of the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research at Argonne and a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, is fondly remembered for his impactful leadership that elevated energy research.

A year in review: Argonne’s breakthroughs in 2022

Argonne researchers put their stamp on 2022 with accomplishments as varied as quantum science, wearable medical sensors, and climate change resilience and recovery.

Designing better battery electrolytes

Argonne scientists give the lay of the land in the quest for electrolytes that could enable revolutionary battery chemistries.

Scientists enhance stability of new material for solar cells

Scientists at the University of Missouri used Argonne’s Advanced Photon Source to identify the structure of a perovskite material grown using chemical vapor deposition, potentially representing a breakthrough for solar cells.

What will it cost to cut the carbon footprint of cars sold in the U.S?

Argonne worked with automakers and energy companies to conduct a cradle-to-grave analysis of light-duty vehicles, which estimated the current and potential future costs and greenhouse gas emissions for vehicles over the entire course of their life cycle.

Entrepreneurship program at Argonne National Laboratory opens applications for startups

Chain Reaction Innovations, the entrepreneurship program at Argonne National Laboratory, is accepting applications for its next fellowship cohort.

5 big strides from Argonne towards nuclear energy’s future

Nuclear energy is an exciting carbon-free energy source. Recent work at Argonne National Laboratory shows how nuclear energy can improve and why it is such an enticing resource in the fight against climate change.

Helping companies improve energy efficiency through high performance computing

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded DOE’s Argonne National Laboratory with $600,000 in federal funding to work on two new projects that will advance cutting edge manufacturing and clean energy technologies.

New cathode design solves major barrier to better lithium-ion batteries

New method for preparing cathode materials eliminates stumbling block to better lithium-ion batteries. New structure for cathode particles could lead to new generation of longer-lasting and safer batteries able to power vehicles for longer driving ranges.

Argonne researchers win four 2022 R&D 100 awards

R&D Magazine has recognized four Argonne projects with R&D 100 Awards.

Argonne scientist elected Fellow of the Electrochemical Society

Argonne’s Deborah Myers has been elected a Fellow of the Electrochemical Society. She is recognized for technological contributions to electrochemical and solid-state science and technology and for active membership and involvement in the Society.