# BRITE Pivot: Manufacturing Next Generation Low-Cost High-Capacity Batteries

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of Texas at Austin (TX) · $598,503

## Abstract

Sodium-based batteries are emerging as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries, which face high costs and limited lithium supply. Sodium is more abundant; in the US alone, there are 23 billion tons of soda ash that could be used to produce sodium. Sodium batteries can be more cost-effective, perform better in cold weather, and may endure more charging and discharging cycles. While sodium-based batteries offer many advantages, one key area of improvement at room temperature is addressing dendrite formation, which can impact safety and performance. To overcome this problem, liquid sodium-potassium anodes have been proposed. However, there has not been a viable manufacturing process to fabricate liquid metal anodes. This BRITE Pivot award supports fundamental research aimed at developing a scalable manufacturing technology for liquid metal anodes in sodium batteries. If successful, it will pave the way for large-scale production of next-generation rechargeable batteries that are low-cost, high-capacity, and reliable—unlocking new economic opportunities in the advanced manufacturing sector.

This award supports an integrated experimental and theoretical study to address key challenges in a new battery manufacturing process, including ion diffusion limitations, irregular electrodeposition fronts, and the precise control of multi-metal deposition ratios required to form desired liquid metal alloys. This new process involves complex electrochemical phenomena that are not 

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2527490
- **Awardee organization:** University of Texas at Austin (TX)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** V6AFQPN18437
- **PI:** Wei Li
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** MFG MACHINES & METROLOGY, NANOMANUFACTURING, GRADUATE EDUCATION, Advanced Materials Processing, UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION, MANUFACTURING
- **Estimated total:** $598,503
- **Funds obligated:** $598,503
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2527490

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2527490, BRITE Pivot: Manufacturing Next Generation Low-Cost High-Capacity Batteries. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-06 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2527490. Licensed CC0.

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