Charging up for
the Future
Today, most people have a cellphone
in their pocket or at their fingertips at all
times. Cellphones, and various other
consumer electronics, are powered
by lithium ion batteries that give life to
our devices, but we’d all love for those
batteries to last much longer. Current
research out of the University of Central
Florida is focused on making that possible.
Teaming up with Sisom Thin Films LLC, a
technology company that manufactures
semi-conductors and other devices in
Orlando, UCF researchers funded through
the Florida High Tech Corridor Council’s
Matching Grants Research Program are
working to develop enhanced lithium ion
batteries. Sisom’s impressive materials
processing capability and intelligence
combined with UCF’s outstanding
research facilities and unique history of
welcoming industrial interactions made for
the perfect partnership.
The project specifically addresses
developing cathode and anode
advanced materials that will make the
lithium ion battery safer and last longer.
Traditionally, when a device powered by
a battery is being operated, the anode
releases lithium (Li) ions to the cathode.
When the device is being charged, the
cathode releases the ions back to the
anode. This process is constantly repeated
throughout a device’s lifetime, which
can put a lot of wear and tear on the
battery. Current technology to develop
these materials is extremely expensive,
complicated and time intensive. Not
only is development difficult, but there
are also problems with the end product:
an energy capacity that can’t support
high-demand applications, consumer and
environmental safety concerns due to the
use of inorganic compounds, and a poor
life cycle.
Dr. Isaiah Oladeji
efficient process for cathode development.
Four graduate students are led by Dr. Robert
Peale, UCF physics professor, in conducting
the research. Their newly created process of
cathode development will be more widely
applicable to a variety of industries, including
small consumer electronics, such as cellphones
and laptops, as well as electric cars and military
vehicles. It also alleviates previous problems
with the end product to create batteries that
have more energy storage, an enhanced
life cycle and hold a longer charge. In terms
of safety, lithium can cause spontaneous
combustion due to the formation of a “crust”
on the cathode; however, the UCF researchers
are using a nanoparticle-based cathode that is
immune to forming this “crust,” eliminating that
danger for consumers.
PLAY
Magnified nanoparticlebased cathodes
“The funding from The Corridor has provided
my small company the opportunity to grow
and be part of a large university’s work,” said
Dr. Isaiah Oladeji, founder, president and chief
technology officer of Sisom Thin Films LLC. “It
can be difficult in the early stages to get our
feet off the ground, but receiving that extra little
push really helped us expand our resources and
get what we needed to work on research that
will benefit many different types of industries and
consumers.”
UCF was tasked to create a simpler,
cheaper and, most important, more
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