Request for Information (RFI) – Industrial Chemistry and Process Innovations to Enable Continuous, Waste-Free, Domestic Manufacture of Critical Battery Cathode Active Materials

and layered transition metal oxide cathodes. CAMs can account for approximately 50% of total battery cost, while CAM chemistry determines overall battery performance and safety.5 To date, commercial cell-level energy densities exceeding 280 watt-hour per kilogram (Wh/kg) are achievable in batteries where NMC is used as the CAM in combination with a graphite anode.6 Recent optimization efforts have focused on innovations in chemistry to decrease cobalt content and increase nickel content thus simultaneously increasing energy density and reducing cost. Moreover, significant government and private sector research funding has been allocated to develop alternative lithium-based battery chemistries. Thus far, LFP is the most commercially successful nickel-free and cobalt-free cathode to be developed with notable attributes in cost, safety, and cycle life. Recent gains in market share suggest that LFP batteries may become the dominant chemistry for compact, economy EVs, while NMC is likely to continue to be the preferred cathode chemistry for vehicles where torque response and range are priorities. To view the RFI in its entirety, please visit https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov.