The American Battery Research Group (ARBG), comprised of U.S. lead battery manufacturers and suppliers, was created to identify areas of scientific research to further the performance of lead batteries to meet U.S. energy storage goals. It operates under the auspices of Battery Council International.
Advancing Battery Innovation: The American Battery Research Group
The BCI American Battery Research Group (ABRG) is a collaborative initiative dedicated to advancing battery performance, sustainability, and domestic manufacturing by bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and national laboratories to conduct scientific studies that enhance battery technology, improve recyclability, and strengthen the U.S. supply chain.
Led by Tim Ellis, BCI Technical Director, the ABRG pursues several key areas of focus. The group partners with institutions including Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Toledo to explore new materials, optimize battery lifecycles, and ensure energy storage solutions remain reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible.
A core element of this work involves examining the molecular structure of lead battery expanders (lignosulfonates) in cooperation with the DOE’s Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Toledo, with financial support from U.S. lead battery manufacturers Clarios, Crown Battery, East Penn Manufacturing, EnerSys, and Stryten Energy.
To advance this research, the ABRG leverages sophisticated tools including high-throughput electrochemical test stations, DFT calculations, and machine learning to identify molecular parameters that enhance battery performance and inform predictive modeling. Collectively, this work supports the industry’s well-established circular economy by investing in research that extends battery lifespan, optimizes material recovery, and advances domestic battery manufacturing toward a more sustainable energy future
Pioneering Research with Argonne National Laboratory & the University of Toledo
This project, initially launched as a two-year effort, was extended to four years with plans underway for additional extensions. The project is in cooperation with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Toledo to examine the molecular structure of lead battery expanders, lignosulfonates, which can dramatically improve battery performance. The project is financially supported by five U.S. lead battery industry manufacturers: Clarios, Crown Battery, East Penn Manufacturing, and EnerSys, with Stryten Energy joining in 2023 (Ecobat has withdrawn).
Work over the next year will focus on using the high-throughput electrochemical test station (specifically designed and developed by ANL for this program) to collect data for the close-loop MEM predictive model, leveraging DFT calculations and machine learning to identify molecular parameters that can enhance MEM performance.
This research will help extend battery lifespan, optimize material recovery, and further enhance the industry’s well-established circular economy. By investing in cutting-edge science, this partnership supports the continued advancement of domestic battery manufacturing and a more sustainable energy future.
Data is critical. Data is growing at a rapid rate, and energy storage [and] battery backup systems are key in keeping our data centers available.