Mesoporous polyimide separator film that blocks lithium
This technology creates ultra-thin polymer membranes with precisely controlled nanoscale pores (5–20 nanometers) that sit between the electrodes inside a battery. The membranes are made from polyimide, a heat-resistant, mechanically stiff plastic, using a block copolymer casting process that self-organizes into a uniform pore structure when heated. The tight, controlled pore size physically blocks the needle-like metal growths called dendrites that form on lithium or sodium metal anodes during charging — dendrites are the leading cause of short circuits and fires in next-generation metal batteries. Because the membrane is both stiff and thermally stable, it outperforms the soft polyethylene separators used in today's commercial lithium-ion cells.
What you could build
A drop-in separator film sold to battery cell manufacturers and research institutions developing lithium-metal or sodium-metal batteries; primary buyers would be advanced battery startups, Tier-1 cell makers (e.g., for EV or grid storage), and defense battery suppliers requiring safer, high-energy cells.
Who in Virginia should care
Defense contractors and battery suppliers in Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads corridor sourcing next-generation battery tech for military platforms would be plausible partners or licensees.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Guoliang LIU, Dong GUO
- Filed
- Patent pending — filed November 13, 2024
- Status
- Application
- Publication number
- US20250367613A1
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology. Email us for an introduction prosim@harbor.capital.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.