Colorado Patent of the Month – August 2024
Forge Nano, Inc., a materials science company known for their Atomic Armor, has secured a patent for a new nano-engineered coating set to improve battery life.
Most modern batteries suffer from a range of conditions that lead to performance degradation. Whether the battery is corroded or resistance is impaired, a degraded battery simply cannot provide the power and lifespan needed. Forge Nano’s nano-engineered coating can be applied to cathodes, anodes, and solid-state electrolyte materials to reduce corrosion.
By employing atomic layer deposition (ALD) or molecular layer deposition (MLD) techniques, they create a nano-engineered coating that significantly boosts battery performance. This coating, just 2 to 10 nanometers thick, is meticulously applied to cathode active material particles, which consist of high-nickel content compounds like lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt-oxide or lithium-nickel-cobalt-aluminum-oxide.
The innovation lies in the nano-engineered coating’s ability to undergo a solid-state reaction with the particle surface. This reaction forms a robust, ionically conductive layer that prevents common issues such as particle cracking, changes in metal distribution, irreversible volume changes, and crystal phase transformations. The result is a battery cathode with enhanced stability and longevity, addressing key performance drawbacks found in conventional battery technologies.
This technique includes various coating materials, such as metal oxides (e.g., Al2O3, TiO2), metal halides, and more, all of which contribute to the prevention of degradation. For instance, alumina and titania coatings not only improve the structural integrity of the cathode but also maintain or even enhance the battery’s capacity compared to uncoated counterparts.
By integrating these nano-engineered coatings, Forge Nano’s technology promises a leap forward in battery efficiency, with potential applications spanning consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage. This innovation exemplifies how advanced material science and deposition techniques can redefine the boundaries of energy storage, offering greater durability and performance in next-generation batteries.
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