Battery Development

General Motors Ventures has announced a $10 million investment in materials science company Forge Nano. Forge Nano specializes in atomic layer deposition and will work with GM to explore potential applications of this technology for batteries. Coating Technology to Reduce Battery Costs Atomic Layer Deposition, marketed by Forge Nano as ‘Atomic Armor’, is a surface technology that deposits extremely thin layers on battery materials to control their chemical properties and structure at the atomic level. Under the partnership, Forge Nano will develop coatings for GM that are intended to both improve battery performance and reduce costs. In particular, the collaboration will focus on coatings for cathode materials. Prototypes of lithium-ion battery cells will be built at Forge Nano’s headquarters in Thornton, Colorado, to demonstrate the potential of the technology. Source:https://www.forgenano.com/forge-nano-receives-10m-investment-from-gm-ventures-to-pursue-gm-battery-material-enhancements-for-future-electric-vehicles/

Hyundai Motor and Kia, together with Hyundai Steel and EcoPro, have launched a four-year project to develop a new production technology for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cathodes.

Swiss battery developer Leclanché SA has introduced the XN50, the world’s first lithium-ion cell featuring niobium-based anode material XNO from Echion Technologies. This innovative cell is specifically designed for heavy-duty applications in rail transport, shipping, and mining. The development was part of a collaboration between Leclanché and Echion Technologies. Benefits of the XN50 Lithium-Ion Cell: Higher Energy Density and Longer Lifespan Compared to conventional lithium-titanate-oxide technologies (LTO), the XN50 offers 50% higher energy density. It also boasts an exceptionally long lifecycle of more than 10,000 charge cycles. After 1,000 charge/discharge cycles at 45°C, the cell experiences less than 3% capacity loss, and its resistance increases by less than 15%. According to Leclanché, the XN50 could be a commercially viable solution to replace traditional LTO technologies in energy storage systems. Environmentally Friendly XN50 Manufacturing Another key advantage of the XN50 cell is its environmentally friendly production. It uses a water-based cathode formulation that is PFAS-free, resulting in reduced environmental impact. Source:https://www.leclanche.com/leclanche-launches-xn50-worlds-first-li-ion-commercial-cell-featuring-echion-technologies-xno/

According to the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, from 2025, no new battery research projects will be funded. Only ongoing projects and those starting in 2024 will receive support.

24M has commissioned a production and research facility developed with Nuovo+ in Rayong, Thailand, covering 6,600 square meters.

US-based energy storage solution provider Stryten Energy has expanded its laboratory for testing new products, evaluating technologies, and conducting root cause analysis.

Chemicals company Chemours has commissioned a battery innovation center in Newark that is working on solvent-free processes for electrode production.

Northvolt has announced that it will relocate the development of its lithium metal battery technology from California to its Northvolt Labs R&D Campus in Västerås, Sweden.

Through 2024, the US will invest around 43 million dollars in projects to reduce manufacturing costs and improve safety of electric vehicle batteries.

Chinese company Geely has developed lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for its Zeekr electric vehicles that can be charged from ten to 80 percent within 10.5 minutes.