Technology Innovation and Great Power Competition,TIGPC, Gordian knot Center, DIME-FIL, department of defense, dod, intlpol 340, joe felter, ms&e296, raj shah, stanford, Steve blank, AI, ML, AI/ML, china, LiOn Batteries

1. INTRODUCTION
FINAL PROBLEM STATEMENT
China controls the processing of critical materials used for lithium-
ion batteries.
To regain control the DOE needs to incentivize short and long-term
strategies to increase processing of critical materials and decrease
dependence on lithium-ion batteries.
1
ORIGINAL PROBLEM STATEMENT
Supply and production of lithium-ion batteries is centered in
China. How can the U.S. become competitive?
Evian Jiang
B.A. Economics, International
Relations ‘24
Andrew Radford
B.S. Science, Technology, and
Society ‘23.
Rafael A. Vilá
PhD in Material Sciences and
Engineering ‘23.
Interviews: 25

2. TEAM 9’S TIMELINE
2
MAR
Why should the US
care about lithium-ion
batteries?
Lithium-ion supply
chain and Chinese
dominance
Pivot: Focus on US
midstream
capacities
Propose solutions to
increase domestic
production & minimize
dependence
Initial hypothesis:
just make more
batteries
The problem feels
too vast
Refine problem
statement
Weeks 2-4 Weeks 7-9
Weeks 5-6

3. WEEKS 2-4:
UNDERSTANDING THE
LITHIUM SUPPLY CHAIN
PROBLEM 3
1

4. Week 2: Why are Li-ion batteries a national security issue?
1. Military (drones & portable equipment)
1. Economy (US will account for ~20% of demand)
1. Diplomacy (China can use their dominance as leverage)
4

5. Week 3: Make More Batteries In The US
5
We have a [global] shortage of
lithium-ion batteries today.
- Jigar Shah, Director of DOE’s Loan Programs Office

6. Weeks 3-4: What does the lithium-ion supply chain look like?
6
Upstream Midstream Downstream
Source: International Energy Agency
90%
75% overall
dominance

7. Week 4: Why does China dominate the supply chain?
1. US licensed away its lithium-ion technology
1. Chinese government subsidies and investments
a. $60 to $100 billion in EV subsidies
b. Subsidized domestic materials processing Gangfeng and BTR
1. Pro-lithium-ion battery policies
a. CCP’s “Made in 2025” / “World’s Factory” industrial strategy
7

8. WEEKS 5-6:
NARROWING THE
PROBLEM
8
2

9. Week 5: Midstream is the Key
In today’s energy world, the expression of
geopolitical power is midstream processing of
lithium, graphite, cobalt, nickel, and
manganese.
9
- Steve LeVine, author of America, China and
The Great Battery War

10. PIVOT
Week 6: Scaling US midstream capacities
1. JPN, KOR, and AUS partnerships (talent transfer)
1. Improving battery recycling capabilities (Redwood Materials)
1. Domestically viable battery chemistries (sodium-ion)
10

11. WEEKS 7-9: FINAL
PROBLEM STATEMENT &
PROPOSED SOLUTIONS
11
3

12. To rely less on China we need to
simultaneously increase production and
do more with less
Week 8: An Offensive and Defensive Strategy Is Required
12
- Battery staff at EVTOL company

13. Refined Problem Statement
China controls the processing of critical materials used for
lithium-ion batteries.
To regain control, the DOE needs to incentivize short and long-
term strategies to increase processing of critical battery
minerals and decrease dependence on lithium-ion batteries.
13

14. Increasing battery materials processing capacity
Partnerships with
countries rich in Li-
ion raw materials
Partnerships with
experts in midstream
refining and
manufacturing
Invest in domestic
talent and midstream
manufacturing capacity
14
$400M investment in LG Energy
Solutions to create anode,
cathode, and manufacturing
plants in the US
$150M investment in Albemarle
to increase American lithium
mining and refinement
capacities
$180M investment in Lilac
Solutions (sustainable lithium
extraction); $200M investment
in Group14

15. Decreasing dependence of Li-ion battery raw materials
EV charging
infrastructure
Domestically viable
battery chemistries
Recycling and raw-
materials reserves
15
DOE standardization of charging
interfaces and protocols; $300M
investment into charging
infrastructure
$200M investment into
commercialization ready battery
chemistries that can be made
100% in the US (sodium-ion)
DOE establishment of a battery-
critical materials reserve and
EPA mandate of lithium-ion
recycling (like lead-acid
batteries)

16. 16
THANKS!
Any questions?
Find us at evianj@stanford.edu, rvila@stanford.edu,
radford4@stanford.edu.