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Project Announcement: Pitch-Derived Synthetic Graphite for Longer Life Lithium-ion Batteries – Phase II

The US Department of Defense is partnering with industry and academia on a multiphase CTMA initiative to develop low-cost isotropic and mesophase pitch-derived synthetic graphite and battery anode-based materials to support domestic maintenance and sustainment operations.

Under this effort an industry participant with the capability to develop synthetic graphite from isotropic and mesophase pitch materials will work to increase production capacity, improve material characteristics, reduce costs, and make the supply chain more robust. The industry participant will leverage its processes to develop 100 percent United States-sourced, improved production processes for isotropic and mesophase pitch that are optimal for synthetic graphite. The overall goal of this effort will be a technology that supports Tier 1with a defined pathway to Tier 2 technology implementation.

Phase II will build on the successes of Phase I; the industry participant will specifically work to:

  • explore the feasibility of further developing the processes to improve synthetic graphite manufacturing for batteries
  • explore the feasibility of reclaiming the waste streams from its various process steps to make the overall process more competitive and demonstrate portions of the manufacturing process on a pilot scale
  • develop produce, and test carbon precursor materials, including isotropic pitch, mesophase pitch, and synthetic graphite ideal for advanced Li-ion batteries, and then use those materials to develop prototype battery cells

If you feel your organization has the technical capabilities and would like to be considered for this project, please complete the form below and upload your organization’s technical capabilities statement.

Interested Submissions Due by 7/30/24.

We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs).

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