News Summary
Argonne National Laboratory and The University of Texas at Dallas have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on advancing battery technology and enhancing the domestic supply chain for critical materials. This partnership aims to address technology gaps in energy storage and promote national security through scientific breakthroughs. Researchers from both institutions will work together in Argonne’s Materials Engineering Research Facility, contributing to workforce development and a more competitive energy storage supply chain in the U.S.
Argonne National Laboratory and The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on July 22, 2023, to enhance battery research and strengthen the domestic supply chain for critical materials. The agreement was formalized by Argonne Laboratory Director Paul Kearns and UT Dallas Vice President for Research and Innovation, Joseph J. Pancrazio, during a ceremony at Argonne’s Materials Engineering Research Facility (MERF).
The MOU represents a significant collaboration between two leading institutions aimed at advancing battery science while addressing essential gaps in technology related to energy storage. Researchers involved in this initiative will come from Argonne’s Advanced Energy Technologies (AET) directorate and UT Dallas’s newly established Batteries and Energy to Advance Commercialization and National Security (BEACONS) Center.
MERF, where the signing ceremony took place, plays a critical role in the partnership by providing a state-of-the-art environment for rapid scale-up operations from benchtop to pilot scale. This facility is designed to facilitate interinstitutional collaboration and effectively bridge theoretical research with practical industrial applications.
The collaboration is expected to enhance U.S. competitiveness and bolster national security through scientific breakthroughs in battery technologies and the development of critical material supply chains. Notably, the BEACONS Center was inaugurated in 2023 with a substantial $30 million award from the U.S. Department of Defense, purposed to advance energy storage systems.
One of the primary goals of the MOU is to target essential technology gaps within the realm of battery research. By working together, Argonne and UT Dallas aim to devise innovative solutions that will not only improve energy storage systems but also qualify the U.S. as a leading player in the global battery manufacturing landscape.
The initiative will also focus on enhancing domestic availability of critical materials required for battery production, significantly contributing to the overall energy security of the country. Through this partnership, Argonne National Laboratory will offer professional development opportunities for UT Dallas students, preparing them for promising careers in energy storage and critical materials management.
In addition to workforce development, the collaboration will involve joint research efforts to optimize battery systems and scale up the production of critical materials. The MOU seeks to establish a more stable, competitive energy storage supply chain within the United States, a vital aspect of enhancing national energy autonomy.
Argonne National Laboratory is renowned for conducting advanced basic and applied research across various scientific disciplines. Managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC, this facility operates under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, the foremost supporter of basic research in physical sciences in the nation. Its research initiatives are critical in addressing significant national challenges in science and technology.
The BEACONS initiative, specifically, is dedicated to developing and commercializing groundbreaking battery technologies while fostering expertise within the workforce that supports the expanding battery industry. Through this agreement with Argonne, UT Dallas strives to contribute significantly to the growing field of renewable energy and secure a more sustainable future for the energy sector.
This collaboration highlights the commitment of both institutions to fostering innovation in battery technology and critical materials research, underscoring the pivotal role of academic and federal laboratory partnerships in shaping the future of energy storage solutions in the United States.
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Additional Resources
- Newswise: Argonne and UT Dallas Strengthen Collaboration in Battery Sciences
- Dallas Innovates: Inside BEACONS: UT Dallas’ New Pentagon-Backed Hub for U.S. Battery Technology
- Battery Tech Online: Department of Defense-Backed Battery Lab Launches at UT Dallas
- SciTechDaily: The Key to Longer Battery Life – Engineers Solve Decades-Old Lithium-Ion Mystery
- Wikipedia: Battery
