Enable IPC Corporation (PINKSHEETS: EIPC) today announced its subsidiary, SolRayo, Inc., has been awarded a $149,935 Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to conduct research into "Using Nanoparticle Oxide Coatings to Increase Cycle Life of Cathode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries."
The work will be performed under the guidance of SolRayo's Director of Battery R&D, Dr. Walter Zeltner, who will serve as principal investigator, and will be accomplished in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin. The award will provide funding from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. SolRayo is developing new nanoparticle-based materials for commercial use in various renewable energy, industrial, consumer, and automotive applications.
STTR is a vital, US government-funded, highly competitive small business program that expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development arena. The program funds certain joint venture opportunities between businesses and non-profit research institutions. Upon the successful completion of the Phase I program, SolRayo may apply for a larger amount and longer duration Phase II award to commercialize the work. The goal of the STTR program is to fully transfer the technologies and products from the laboratory to the marketplace. The business profits from the commercialization, which, in turn, stimulates the U.S. economy.
SolRayo CEO Dr. Mark Daugherty said, "Our research into this technology suggests that battery life can be significantly expanded by using a simple, inexpensive nanoparticle coating process. This could mean a large market opportunity for us in a number of areas, most particularly in military, remote power and transportation applications."
Kevin Leonard, Chief Technology Officer at SolRayo, commented, "Our initial research shows that this process inhibits the degradation of battery cathode materials, especially at higher operating temperatures. This means that a battery's life could be extended significantly by applying an inexpensive, nano-based coating to one of the battery's key components."
Source: Enable IPC Corporation