Transfer of battery technology developed by the US Department of Energy

Technical Report · Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:5631471

Walsh, W J; Symons, P C

This study examines linkages between government and the private sector in battery research and development, investigates industry's use of advances in battery technology developed with funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE), and explores the appropriate federal role. The industrial viewpoint was obtained through interviews with 25 commercial battery developers. This report describes candidate electrochemical technologies, analyzes past and present government/industry interfaces, documents technological advances and private sector outcomes, and recommends ways to enhance transfer of DOE-developed technology to industry. A major study finding is that industry can promptly and effectively translate battery advances with commercial potential into new products, and that aggressive technology transfer activities by DOE are unnecessary. Major US battery companies were found to be highly knowledgeable with respect to DOE program content and technological advances attained. In addition, liberal patent waivers have allowed companies to build proprietary positions, and technology diffusion within the private sector can be rapid and efficient. It appears that DOE can best increase the transfer of technology to industry by simply creating advances with commercial potential at a faster rate. Principal recommendations include: (1) an expanded advisory role for industry; (2) increased programmatic flexibility; (3) greater efforts aimed at quantum advances; and (4) increased technical autonomy for industrial contractors.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31-109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5631471
• Report Number(s): ANL/SPG-25; ON: DE85009868
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
ALUMINIUM-AIR BATTERIES
FUEL CELLS
IRON-NICKEL BATTERIES
LEAD-ACID BATTERIES
LITHIUM-SULFUR BATTERIES
NICKEL-ZINC BATTERIES
SODIUM-SULFUR BATTERIES
US DOE
ZINC-BROMINE BATTERIES
ZINC-CHLORINE BATTERIES
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
METAL-GAS BATTERIES
METAL-METAL OXIDE BATTERIES
METAL-NONMETAL BATTERIES
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
US ORGANIZATIONS
250900* - Energy Storage- Batteries