This technology features a separator asymmetrically coated on both sides with a carbon particle layer, such as graphene, and a metal oxide-based inorganic particle layer. This dual-function design simultaneously improves electrical conductivity on the cathode side and provides physical protection on the anode side.
Batteries using metal anodes are prone to short circuits caused by the growth of dendrites. Additionally, they suffer from rapid performance degradation due to the shuttling effect, where polysulfides generated at the sulfur-containing cathode migrate to the anode.
This technology involves coating an insulating porous substrate with a carbon particle layer (graphene particles and binder) on the cathode-facing side and an inorganic particle layer (metal oxide nanoparticles and binder) on the anode-facing side, at a weight ratio of 2:1 to 8:1. The micro/nano-composite pores in the carbon layer trap polysulfides at the cathode, while the inorganic layer prevents dendrite penetration. Applicable to metal-sulfur batteries like lithium-sulfur and sodium-sulfur, as well as long-cycle energy storage cells, this single separator effectively manages the distinct degradation factors of both the cathode and anode.
This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT for the development of core and commercialization technologies for interface-optimized, rod-shaped secondary battery materials.
This technology is a composite binder that connects water-soluble polymers, such as PAA and CMC, with furan-group-functionalized polymer complexes to carbon materials containing carbon-carbon pi bonds, like graphene and CNTs, via a Diels-Alder reaction. By combining a hydrophilic polymer backbone with hydrophobic carbon materials, it suppresses the expansion of silicon active materials while ensuring uniform dispersion of conductive additives.
Silicon anodes have historically faced issues with structural collapse due to significant volume changes during charge and discharge cycles. Traditional methods of adding dispersants to improve conductive additive distribution often reduced electrical conductivity and energy density when used in excess, while modifying carbon black typically led to unavoidable degradation in conductivity.
This technology is configured to chemically bond furan-functionalized water-soluble polymers with carbon materials at a weight ratio of 9:1 to 7:3 by heating in ultrapure water at 70–90°C to induce a Diels-Alder reaction. The bonded carbon materials capture and uniformly distribute conductive additives through pi-pi interactions, while the elasticity of the polymer physically constrains silicon expansion. Applicable to high-silicon content anodes, silicon-graphite composite anodes, and aqueous electrode slurry processes, it maintains both the conductive network and electrode structure without the need for separate dispersants.
This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT for the development of user-customized, high-performance, and high-safety stretchable aqueous zinc-ion secondary batteries using stretchable hybrid electrode networks.
This technology places a patterned functional layer made of expanded graphite and a binder between the electrode current collector and the active material layer. When the expanded graphite expands at high temperatures (approx. 140°C or higher), it physically separates the active material layer from the current collector, causing a sharp increase in resistance to prevent thermal runaway during a short circuit.
Conventional secondary batteries are at high risk of fire, as short circuits cause rapid temperature spikes leading to thermal runaway. Methods using flame retardants have limitations in ensuring proactive safety, as they only activate after ignition has already begun.
This technology involves coating a current collector with a patterned layer containing openings, using a mixture of expanded graphite (particle size 500nm–7㎛, 200–600% expansion at 140°C) and a secondary binder like SBR. Upon exposure to high heat, the expanded graphite swells, detaching the active material layer from the current collector and forcing the circuit resistance up to cut off the current. It can be applied to fields prone to major fires from short circuits, such as EV pouch cells, energy storage modules, and power tool batteries, serving as a passive safety device that allows the cell to disconnect its own circuit before ignition occurs.
This technology involves applying a coating solution containing dissolved metal compounds and polymers onto a lithium metal surface. This creates a dual-layer protective film consisting of a second layer of lithium alloy and inorganic materials formed by reaction with lithium, topped by a third layer of polymer.
Lithium metal anodes are prone to dendrite growth during charge and discharge cycles, which can lead to short circuits and fire hazards. Furthermore, side reactions with the electrolyte cause electrolyte depletion and lithium consumption, resulting in a shortened battery lifespan.
This technology uses dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a primary solvent and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) or sulfolane as a secondary solvent to dissolve metal compounds and polymers for coating onto the lithium surface. During the coating process, the metal compounds react with the lithium to form a Li-M alloy and a lithium halide layer, while the upper polymer layer physically blocks electrolyte penetration to stabilize the interface. Applicable to lithium metal secondary batteries, next-generation high-energy EV cells, and all-solid-state batteries using lithium anodes, this method enables mass production of anode protective layers through a solution process without the need for vacuum deposition.
This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT for the development of core technologies for high-energy-density lithium metal batteries based on the design of natural organic/inorganic composite membrane formation reactions.
This technology forms a uniform cellulose coating layer—consisting of a continuous phase of cellulose nanofibers and a dispersed phase of microfibers—on a porous support using a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) dispersant with specific degrees of substitution, polymerization, and zeta potential.
Conventional polyolefin separators suffer from low thermal stability, leading to shrinkage at high temperatures. Furthermore, binders used in inorganic particle coatings often clog pores, reducing ion conductivity and making it difficult to achieve a uniform coating.
This technology replaces synthetic polymer binders with a CMC dispersant to maximize the dispersibility of cellulose microfibers and nanofibers. This ensures high puncture strength, excellent air permeability, low thermal shrinkage, and improved ion conductivity without the need for inorganic materials. Ideal for high-power electric tools and EV batteries where thermal shrinkage is a concern, this technology enhances both heat resistance and mechanical strength using only a lightweight cellulose layer, eliminating the need for ceramic coatings.
This invention was developed with support from the Korea Forest Service for the design and manufacturing technology of nanocellulose-coated separators.
This technology features a separator structure in which cellulose nanofibers and inorganic particles are uniformly dispersed and coated onto a porous support using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with specific degrees of polymerization and substitution, molecular weight, viscosity, and zeta potential as a dispersant.
Conventional separator coating processes have been complicated by the use of organic solvents, and the use of acrylic or rubber-based adhesives often leads to clogged pores, which reduces air permeability. Furthermore, there have been limitations regarding the uneven coating of inorganic particles and thermal shrinkage at high temperatures.
This technology utilizes a CMC dispersant that satisfies a degree of polymerization of 800–1500, a degree of substitution of 0.5–1.0, a molecular weight of 200,000–400,000 g/mol, and a zeta potential of -60 to -50 mV. The coating is formed by applying a slurry to a porous support, prepared by adding CMC, cellulose nanofibers, and inorganic particles to a solvent in that specific order. This technology can be applied to pouch cells for electric vehicles, where high-temperature safety is critical, and to separator coating lines transitioning to water-based processes. It enables the production of ceramic-coated separators that suppress thermal shrinkage while keeping pores open without the need for adhesives.
This invention was developed with support from the Korea Forest Service for the design and manufacturing technology of nanocellulose-coated separators.
This technology is an anode composite where silicon nanoparticle surfaces are pre-coated with a 1–5 nm layer of polymer or pitch, then physically and chemically bonded to a carbon substrate, such as graphite, using a mechanofusion process.
Silicon-based anode active materials suffer from significant volume expansion during charge and discharge cycles, leading to pulverization. This causes the material to detach from the current collector and lose contact between active particles, resulting in degraded battery performance. Furthermore, differences in surface energy between silicon and graphite have historically made uniform surface coating difficult through simple mixing.
This technology involves milling silicon particles with a polymer (such as PAN) or pitch solution to create a 1–5 nm adhesive layer on the nanoparticle surface, followed by physical and chemical bonding to the carbon substrate using mechanofusion equipment at 1,000–5,000 rpm. This prevents silicon detachment and ensures structural stability of the composite. Applicable to lithium-ion batteries for EVs and energy storage systems using graphite-silicon anodes, this technology maintains long cycle life by preventing silicon from separating from the graphite despite repeated expansion.
This invention was developed with support from the BrainLink project for the development of tandem systems for eco-friendly carbon-free hydrogen production and large-area device demonstration, funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT.
This technology is a cathode structure for lithium-sulfur batteries that maximizes physical strength and electrochemical active surface area by anchoring and uniformly dispersing sulfur-containing materials within a 3D network structure formed by graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), then compression-molding them into pellets.
Conventional lithium-sulfur battery cathodes suffered from low active material utilization due to sulfur particle agglomeration and structural collapse of the pellets during cycling. Furthermore, under high-loading conditions, they faced limitations such as the polysulfide shuttle effect and reduced ionic conductivity caused by increased electrolyte viscosity.
This technology improves dispersibility by mixing and stirring the active material in a binder solution, embeds sulfur into the graphene-CNT network, and then pelletizes it at 50–1000 MPa and 40–80°C to ensure structural stability. Additionally, a fluorine-based diluent like TTE is added to the electrolyte to suppress viscosity increases caused by polysulfides. It can be applied to fields where energy-to-weight ratio is critical, such as drones, high-altitude UAVs, and lightweight wearable power sources, enabling the realization of high-loading sulfur cathodes with reduced binder content without structural collapse.
This technology uses sensors to detect pressure changes caused by the expansion or contraction of primary cells (first cells) during charge and discharge cycles, and complementarily adjusts the charge/discharge state of auxiliary cells (second cells) to maintain constant mechanical pressure within the module.
Swelling during the charge/discharge process of secondary batteries increases internal module pressure. This elevated pressure leads to performance degradation and shortened lifespan, including structural changes in anode materials, SEI layer formation, and lithium plating.
The battery management module compares sensor-input pressure values against a reference to calculate the difference, then uses a lookup table to determine the optimal charge or discharge current for the second cell. When the first cell expands, the second cell is discharged to reduce volume; when the first cell contracts, the second cell is charged to increase volume, keeping overall module pressure uniform. Applicable to EV battery modules, ESS racks with stacked pouch cells, and solid-state modules where pressure management is critical, this technology reduces the need for mechanical pressurization structures while actively preventing pressure-related degradation like lithium plating.
This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT for the development of impedance management and lifespan enhancement technology for electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries using low- and high-frequency synthetic surface pressure excitation.
This technology creates a porous copper-tin (Cu3Sn) nanotube layer by forming copper hydroxide nanotubes on a copper current collector surface, followed by tin coating and heat treatment. This reduces overpotential during lithium electrodeposition and suppresses dendrite growth.
In anode-free all-solid-state batteries, high lithium electrodeposition overpotential leads to non-uniform lithium plating. This creates technical limitations, such as lithium dendrite growth and short circuits.
This technology involves treating a copper current collector with an alkaline hydroxide and persulfate solution to grow copper hydroxide nanotubes, followed by electroless tin plating and heat treatment to form an open-ended porous Cu3Sn nanotube layer. The expanded surface area maximizes contact with the solid electrolyte and ensures uniform lithium deposition. Applicable to anode-free all-solid-state batteries and high-density pouch cell current collectors, it maximizes volumetric energy density by eliminating the anode active material, achieving a capacity retention rate exceeding 83% after 150 cycles.
This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy for the development of composite materials and electrode component manufacturing technology for 7 mAh/cm²-class high-energy-density electrode plates for ceramic secondary batteries.
This technology features a hybrid structure that replaces the interlayer dielectric of 3D vertical memory devices with a solid-state electrolyte-based secondary battery, enabling simultaneous information and energy storage within the same device volume.
In conventional 3D vertical memory, dielectric layers are essential to prevent interference between memory cells, but they serve no purpose other than protection. This results in inefficient use of space within the device.
This technology incorporates an a-Si anode and LiCoO2 cathode into the dielectric structure to provide solid-state battery functionality, combining it with vertical memory like ReRAM to utilize internal space for energy storage. It is ideal for power-constrained IoT sensor nodes, implantable medical devices, and ultra-compact wearable chips, enabling designs that handle both data retention and self-powering on a single chip without a separate battery.
This technology utilizes a solvent-free dry process to manufacture electrodes by hot-pressing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and binders into a 3D scaffold network on the surface of a current collector featuring sub-micron etched pores.
Wet processes rely on NMP, a hazardous solvent that increases environmental impact and costs. Existing dry processes often suffer from poor electrode adhesion, leading to delamination, brittleness, structural instability under high-loading conditions, and reduced rate performance.
This technology involves placing a MWCNT and PVDF composite, mixed via vortex mixer, onto a metal current collector with 50–1000 nm wide etched pores created through oxidation, followed by hot-pressing at 160–200°C and 8–12 MPa. The carbon nanotube scaffold is physically anchored within the etched pores, significantly enhancing electrode adhesion and electrical networking. Applicable to cathode production lines that require costly NMP recovery systems and high-loading lithium-ion or sodium-ion batteries, this method enables the production of delamination-resistant, thick electrodes in seconds without hazardous solvents.
This technology enhances electrolyte crystallinity and suppresses the carbonization of organic solvent residues by loading wet-synthesized sulfide-based solid electrolyte precursor powder onto carbon or carbon composites and subjecting it to rapid heating and cooling via microwave irradiation (thermal carbon shock).
Conventional wet synthesis methods often lead to the carbonization of residual organic matter during high-temperature heat treatment, which abnormally increases the electron conductivity of the solid electrolyte, resulting in electrical leakage and internal short circuits in all-solid-state batteries. Furthermore, standard heat treatment methods struggle to balance improved crystallinity with the suppression of impurity formation.
This technology uses carbon or carbon composites as a heat source under microwave irradiation to complete high-temperature heat treatment in a short time, preventing carbonization while maximizing crystallinity. This process minimizes sulfur loss and inhibits the formation of impurities like Li3PO4, achieving both low electron conductivity and high lithium-ion conductivity. Applicable to mass-production processes for argyrodite-based electrolytes and automotive all-solid-state cells, this method secures high-ion-conductivity electrolytes with reduced short-circuit risks in just minutes.
This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT under the project for developing bridge technologies for large-area, 600Wh/L-class all-solid-state EV batteries.
This technology involves depositing a 30–80 nm thick layer of a lithium-alloying metal, such as silver (Ag), onto the surface of a silicon anode active material layer to enhance interfacial contact with the solid electrolyte and ensure electrochemical stability during charge and discharge cycles.
Silicon anodes suffer from low ionic and electronic conductivity and significant volume expansion during charge and discharge, leading to side reactions or interfacial delamination when used with sulfide-based solid electrolytes. These issues have historically limited both cycle life and discharge capacity.
This technology forms a 30–80 nm thick silver (Ag) metal layer on an anode active material layer composed of silicon, CNTs, and PVDF using DC sputtering. During charging, this layer alloys with lithium, becoming soft and adhesive, which maintains uniform contact with the solid electrolyte and reduces interfacial resistance. Applicable to all-solid-state batteries for EVs and power sources for communication and transport devices, this technology leverages the high capacity of silicon anodes while preventing capacity loss caused by interfacial delamination.
This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT under the project for developing bridge technologies for large-area, 600Wh/L-class all-solid-state EV batteries.
This technology is an integrated hybrid process that selectively precipitates and removes iron and aluminum as hydroxides by adding a complexing agent and a base to the acid leachate of spent lithium batteries, followed by treating the remaining aqueous solution with ultrafiltration and nanofiltration. This separates and concentrates lithium ions from multivalent metal ions to recover high-purity lithium.
Recycling spent lithium batteries has been challenging due to the lack of cost-effective technologies to separate the mixture of metal ions—such as lithium, iron, aluminum, nickel, cobalt, and manganese—found in acidic waste solutions. Conventional chemical precipitation methods often suffer from lithium loss during pH adjustment, generate large volumes of wastewater, and require expensive solvents, limiting their economic viability.
This technology uses a complexing agent, such as ammonium citrate, and a base to selectively precipitate iron and aluminum at a pH of 3.5 to 6.5. A nanofiltration membrane is then used to filter out over 60% of divalent valuable metal ions while allowing monovalent lithium ions to pass through. The recovered lithium solution is treated with carbonate to obtain lithium carbonate crystals, and any residual lithium is further recovered via reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, or membrane distillation. Applicable to hydrometallurgical plants for EV battery black mass and LFP battery recycling lines, this process keeps lithium loss below 30% while enabling the recovery of nickel, cobalt, and manganese as separate resources.
This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy for the development of new biodiesel production technology from lignocellulosic biomass using rapid pyrolysis and supercritical ethanol upgrading processes.
