Research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is addressing the need for better battery technology, demonstrated recently when aircraft were grounded because of safety issues. ORNL researchers used a combination of neutron scattering at NOMAD, the Nanoscale-Ordered Materials Diffractometer at the Spallation Neutron Source, and computational simulation to characterize low-cost lignin-based carbon materials from biomass for a more reliable anode for lithium-ion batteries. The anode is the positive terminal of an electrolytic cell. The combination of neutron scattering experiments and computation provides researchers with a fundamental understanding of the structure- property relationships in batteries. The expected payoff is safer long-lasting batteries.
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