Argonne researchers win 2 R&D 100 Awards

ARGONNE, Ill. (July 17, 2008) Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory and their industrial partners have won two R&D 100 Awards for innovative fluid sealing and lithium-ion battery technologies.

Argonne scientists have been awarded 101 R&D 100 Awards since the awards introduction by R&D Magazine in 1964. Winning a prestigious R&D 100 Award -- dubbed the "Oscars of innovation" by The Chicago Tribune -- provides proof that a product is one of the most innovative ideas of the year, according to R&D Magazine.

"This is yet the latest example of how the Department of Energy and our National Laboratories are continuing to demonstrate world-class leadership in innovation, as we enhance our energy security, national security and economic competiveness," Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman said. "On behalf of the Department, I would like to congratulate all of our employees who have earned R&D 100 awards and in particular this year's winners."

"These awards demonstrate the scientific know-how and innovative spirit on the part of Argonne researchers," said Argonne Director Robert Rosner. "I offer my hearty congratulations to our winning scientists."

This year's winners are:

• EnerDel/Argonne High-Power Lithium-Ion Battery for hybrid electric vehicles.
• Ultrananocrystalline Diamond (UNCD) Mechanical Seals, a fluid sealing technology.

EnerDel/Argonne Advanced High-Power Battery for Hybrid Electric Vehicles

The EnerDel/Argonne lithium-ion battery is a highly reliable and extremely safe devise that is lighter in weight, more compact, more powerful and longer lasting than the nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) )batteries that are found in today's hybrid electric vehicles (HEV).

The battery is expected to meet the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium's $500 manufacturing price criterion for a 25-kilowatt battery, which is almost a sixth of the cost to make comparable Ni-MH batteries intended for use in HEVs. It is also less expensive to make than comparable Li-ion batteries. That cost reduction is expected to help make HEVs more competitive in the marketplace and enable consumers to receive an immediate payback in gas-cost savings rather than having to wait seven years for the savings to surpass the premium placed on HEVs.