Cambridge EnerTech’s

xEV Battery Technology, Application, and Market

Driving the Future Growth of Electric Vehicles Globally

December 11-12, 2024

 

Wednesday, December 11

PLENARY KEYNOTE

10:55 am

Chairperson's Remarks

Craig Wohlers, General Manager, Cambridge EnerTech

11:00 am

How GM Is Driving Battery Development and Enabling an All-EV Future

Kurt Kelty, Vice President, Battery Cell & Pack, General Motors

GM has established a foundation to accelerate the investment in and development of battery technology with a robust supply chain to support its growth over the next decade. In this talk, Kurt will discuss GM’s strategies for investing in new technologies and how its in-house capabilities enhance those efforts, with an overview and rationale behind key investments made to date. He will also provide insights on the company’s approach and significant milestones moving forward.

11:20 am

Steps to Increase EV Sales with V2G Enabled Battery Packs

Anil Paryani, Executive Engineering Director, Advanced EV Program, Ford

Electricity prices are rising faster than gasoline. Simultaneously, clean solar energy is becoming available but remains underutilized. EV sales growth is flat. Why not charge EVs with excessive solar and then support the grid in times of challenge? Government policy and battery cycle life hinder the rollout of existing vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. This paper explores necessary electricity price changes and battery cycle life requirements needed to increase EV sales growth.

11:40 am

How Redwood Materials Is Building a Sustainable Battery Supply Chain

Colin Campbell, CTO, Redwood Materials

Redwood Materials is building a domestic supply chain for battery materials that reduces the environmental impact, costs, and supply chain risks of lithium-ion batteries. With the rise of electric vehicles and clean energy technologies comes both a challenge and opportunity to recover these materials, which can be nearly infinitely reused, to sustainably build tomorrow’s lithium-ion batteries. In his talk, Colin will discuss Redwood’s technology and commercial strategy, highlighting the company’s Nevada campus which today is recycling the equivalent of 250,000 EVs worth of material a year and manufacturing cathode active material in the U.S. for the first time.

12:00 pm MODERATED Q&A:

Session Wrap-Up

PANEL MODERATOR:

Craig Wohlers, General Manager, Cambridge EnerTech

PANELISTS:

Kurt Kelty, Vice President, Battery Cell & Pack, General Motors

Anil Paryani, Executive Engineering Director, Advanced EV Program, Ford

Colin Campbell, CTO, Redwood Materials

12:15 pmRoaming Networking Lunch in the Exhibit Hall

1:15 pmDessert Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)

xEV MARKET EXPANSION

2:00 pm

Organizer's Remarks

Craig Wohlers, General Manager, Cambridge EnerTech

2:05 pm

Chairperson's Remarks

John Kwon, General Counsel of Global Legal & Strategy, Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL)

2:10 pm

Battery Market Trends and Impact of Policy

Evelina Stoikou, Senior Associate, Energy Storage, Bloomberg New Energy Finance

Policies in the the US and Europe—such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Net Zero Industry Act—are forcing battery manufacturers and automakers to rethink their battery supply chains. Meanwhile, battery prices in China are rapidly falling to new record lows, making it harder for Western players to compete. This presentation will cover the latest battery market, technology, supply chain ,and policy trends.

2:30 pm

USABC Battery Development Program Overview

Matt Denlinger, Battery Research Engineer, Energy Storage Research, Ford Motor Company

The United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) is a subsidiary of USCAR. The organization supports advanced battery technology development and commercialization for electric vehicles via funding through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Energy. This talk will give an overview of current and past USABC programs, as well as future funding opportunities for US battery developers.

2:50 pm

Towards Pragmatic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy for Automotive Application

Nasser Azad, Professor, University of Waterloo

Yasaman Masoudi, Engineer, BMS Algorithm, Stellantis

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is a powerful characterization technique, widely applied in many disciplines. Despite the great potential of EIS, its implementation for automotive applications remains challenging. Towards the ultimate goal of making EIS more accessible, this presentation proposes a framework for optimizing the design of EIS experiments, wherein the advantages of the proposed methodology are demonstrated against the conventional experimentation through numerical examples.

3:10 pm MODERATED Q&A:

Session Wrap-Up

PANEL MODERATOR:

John Kwon, General Counsel of Global Legal & Strategy, Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL)

PANELISTS:

Evelina Stoikou, Senior Associate, Energy Storage, Bloomberg New Energy Finance

Matt Denlinger, Battery Research Engineer, Energy Storage Research, Ford Motor Company

Nasser Azad, Professor, University of Waterloo

Yasaman Masoudi, Engineer, BMS Algorithm, Stellantis

3:25 pmRefreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)

4:10 pm

Assessing the Impact of Advancements in Battery Technology on Testing Protocols

Tobias Glossmann, Principal Systems Engineer, HV Battery Research and Test Lab, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America

Advanced battery technologies are increasingly moving towards commercialization. As battery cell sizes and maturity levels continue to grow, the significance of testing and evaluation methods becomes more pronounced. In this exploration, we delve into several aspects of Li-ion testing that require attention to align with upcoming battery technologies.

4:30 pm

Optimizing Performance of LMFP/NMC Blends

Dee Strand, PhD, CSO, R&D, Wildcat Discovery Technologies, Inc.

NMC/LMFP blends can offer the energy density of layered oxides with the safety advantage of olivines, which is desirable for automotive applications. In order to realize these potential advantages, numerous properties of the base materials and the blend need to be optimized. This presentation shows a systematic evaluation of NMC and LMP blends with the aim of mapping the blend / performance space. The focus will be on performance metrics for high energy cells with power performance sufficient for auto applications.

4:50 pm

Electrolyte Motion Induced Salt Inhomogeneity in Large Lithium-Ion Cells

Frederik Morgenstern, Senior Battery Technology Engineer, BMW Group

In 2023, the Dalhousie group demonstrated that expansion of active materials causes electrolyte flow in cylindrical cells upon cell cycling. We show that this electrolyte motion can cause severe inhomogeneity in the spatial distribution of conducting salt inside the jelly roll/stack. We discuss the influence of this electrolyte inhomogeneity on cell performance and lifetime. This novel mechanism -which we termed „electrolyte motion induced salt inhomogeneity” (EMSI) - is however not purely limited to cylindrical cells. Here we will show that it applies to all large format lithium-ions cells under high compression, such as prismatic cells.

5:10 pm Paraclete Energy’s Polymer Matrix Silicon vs. Graphite: >253% Energy Density, 45% Cost Reduction, 61% Lighter Pack

Paul Jones, VP Corp Strategy, Corp Strategy, Paraclete Energy Inc

Discover Paraclete Energy's polymer matrix technology. Our high-capacity silicon anode material boosts energy density by 253%, reduces battery pack weight by 61%, and cuts costs by 45%. This scalable, eco-friendly, and carbon-neutral solution meets DOE cycle stability requirements and eliminates reliance on dangerous silane gas, revolutionizing battery manufacturing for next-gen electric vehicles. Learn how our technology accelerates plant setup and enhances sustainability.

5:30 pm

Nyobolt 35kWh EV Road/Track Demonstration and 4.5 Minute Charging

Brian Barnett, PhD, CTO, Nyobolt

Shane Davies, Director, Vehicle Battery Systems, Nyobolt

Nyobolt has developed fast-charge battery technology capable of full SOC fast charging in five minutes or less. To demonstrate this battery technology, Nyobolt designed and built an electrified “update” of the Lotus Elise based on a 35 kWh, 800V fast-charge battery capable of 250 km range. This talk will detail the battery technology, pack design, how the vehicle was built, successfully tested and charged in 4.5 minutes, and lessons learned.

5:50 pm MODERATED Q&A:

Session Wrap-Up

PANEL MODERATOR:

John Kwon, General Counsel of Global Legal & Strategy, Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL)

PANELISTS:

Tobias Glossmann, Principal Systems Engineer, HV Battery Research and Test Lab, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America

Dee Strand, PhD, CSO, R&D, Wildcat Discovery Technologies, Inc.

Frederik Morgenstern, Senior Battery Technology Engineer, BMW Group

Paul Jones, VP Corp Strategy, Corp Strategy, Paraclete Energy Inc

Brian Barnett, PhD, CTO, Nyobolt

Shane Davies, Director, Vehicle Battery Systems, Nyobolt

6:05 pmClose of Day

Thursday, December 12

8:00 amRegistration and Morning Coffee

xEV MARKET EXPANSION

8:35 am

Chairperson's Remarks

Tobias Glossmann, Principal Systems Engineer, HV Battery Research and Test Lab, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America

8:40 am

Advancing the 3.7 V K-Ion Battery for Electric Vehicles

Alexander Girau, Co Founder & CEO, Group1

The shift to LFP-based LIBs by major OEMs highlights the adaptation to integrating LFP cathodes into prismatic cells to compete with NCM. This shift focuses on low-cost and safety, avoiding Co and Ni. Group1’s KIB advances sustainable battery tech, eliminating Li and Cu while maintaining energy density and improving charging rates. We’ll update on our progress toward a 3.7V KIB battery with potential to achieve 200 Wh/kg, using a 4V KPW cathode, organic electrolyte, and graphite anode.

9:00 am Debondable Adhesives as Key Technology for Enabling EV Battery Circularity

William Brown, Business Development Manager, Henkel Corp.

Enabling a circular economy for EV batteries is becoming an increasingly important topic around the world. The European Union is establishing a holistic framework for battery ecology. China has already set specific battery recycling targets. In the United States, no explicit federal policies currently exist; however, ongoing discussions are taking place for potential LIB recycling. This presentation will explore the crucial role debondable adhesives play in the 4Rs—Repair, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycling, and review key triggers to enable debonding.

9:20 am

The Rechargeable Battery Market & Main Trends

Michael Sanders, Senior Advisor, Energy, Avicenne Energy

This presentation will cover the battery market analysis and forecast application by application, its impact on raw material demand with major technical trends in cost structure and trends, and will include the global market forecast.

9:40 am

Optimizing Battery Sustainability and Cost-Effectiveness in Electrified Vehicle Technologies

Amirmasoud Lanjan, Battery Cell Application Engineer, Stellantis

Zahra Moradi, Battery Cell Lead, Stellantis

This presentation explores vital minerals for traction batteries, comparing LFP, LMFP, Na-ion, and Li-S, and emphasizing alternatives to rare minerals. It highlights eco-friendly material production, advances in low-emission cathodes, and natural graphite. The talk covers energy-intensive cell manufacturing processes, including coatings and waste management. It stresses the importance of smaller, longer-lasting batteries, increased infrastructure, and longevity, offering engineers practical insights for sustainable battery technology.

10:00 am The Imperatives for EV Scale-Up and the Challenges of Integrating Innovations into the Supply Chain

Kenan Sahin, President & Founder, CAMX Power

While the environmental benefits of scaling up EVs globally may have been a major motivation initially, the current drivers are the cost parity between manufacturing an EV and an internal combustion vehicle, as well as the military’s need for a reliable battery supply and innovation chain in North America. As a result, a massive scale-up by the industry is now underway. This impending expansion of EV production has stimulated a significant rise in innovations, the formation of numerous startups, and substantial investments in R&D. However, the scale-up presents serious challenges for integrating these innovative technologies into the EV supply chain, particularly regarding warranty costs and compatibility testing. We will propose suggestions to help reduce these barriers.

10:20 am MODERATED Q&A:

Session Wrap-Up

PANEL MODERATOR:

Tobias Glossmann, Principal Systems Engineer, HV Battery Research and Test Lab, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America

PANELISTS:

Michael Sanders, Senior Advisor, Energy, Avicenne Energy

Amirmasoud Lanjan, Battery Cell Application Engineer, Stellantis

Zahra Moradi, Battery Cell Lead, Stellantis

William Brown, Business Development Manager, Henkel Corp.

Alexander Girau, Co Founder & CEO, Group1

10:45 amCoffee & Bagel Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)

11:50 am

xEV Battery Industry Implementation: 2025 Camry HEV

Tina Singh, Principal Engineer, Sustainability & Regulatory Affairs, Toyota Motor North America

HEVs have a role in this transition to a sustainable, decarbonized future—why we went 100% hybrid with the 2025 Camry HEV, our best-selling sedan for 22 years. The Camry touts the TNGA 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, offering more power in a smaller package, paired with the latest Toyota hybrid system. This results in the most horsepower offered on a Camry, with a light, compact electric motor to enhance performance.

12:10 pm

CATL’s 21st Century Lab: The Current State of Research on Lithium Metal

Ulderico Ulissi, PhD, Head of Overseas Tech & Start-up Cooperation, CATL

Hansen Wang, PhD, Special Technology Officer, Advanced Metal Anodes, 21C Lab, CATL

21st Century (21C) innovation laboratory is the world-class crucible of innovation for the energy transition operated by market leader Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL). 21C is a crossroad for academic research and industrial development, and in this presentation will offer insight into its latest research while providing an industrial perspective on the development of lithium metal batteries. For the first time, we will introduce a bottom-up design methodology that helped us achieve longer cycle life under lean electrolyte conditions, where electrolyte formulations are iterated based on a clear understanding of cell failure mechanisms.

INNOVATIONS IN BATTERIES FOR xEVs

12:30 pm

Li-ion Battery Design for Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Platforms

Ilias Belharouak, PhD, Section Head, Electrification and Energy Infrastructure Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The development of robust and high-performance battery systems is crucial for the advancement of Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles for urban air mobility. The study used actual flight data coupled with physical models to create discharge profiles for testing on developed lithium-ion cells for eVTOLs. This presentation embarks on a systematic investigation into the behavior of standard lithium-ion battery chemistries with two exemplary liquid electrolytes under eVTOL load profiles. The eVTOL load profiles are established by analyzing the power profile of actual eVTOL platforms undergoing specific missions.

12:50 pm

Role of the Positive Electrode during Fast Charging of Lithium-ion Batteries

Daniel Abraham, PhD, Senior Materials Scientist, Argonne National Laboratory

Fast charging is known to degrade performance of lithium-ion batteries containing layered oxide cathodes and graphite anodes. This degradation is typically attributed to lithium plating that occurs at the graphite anode at high currents. In this presentation, we will describe the role of the oxide cathode in battery degradation. Results from electrochemical tests, X-ray measurements, and electron microscopy studies will be presented to illustrate our conclusions.

1:10 pm MODERATED Q&A:

Session Wrap-Up

PANEL MODERATOR:

Tobias Glossmann, Principal Systems Engineer, HV Battery Research and Test Lab, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America

PANELISTS:

Tina Singh, Principal Engineer, Sustainability & Regulatory Affairs, Toyota Motor North America

Ulderico Ulissi, PhD, Head of Overseas Tech & Start-up Cooperation, CATL

Ilias Belharouak, PhD, Section Head, Electrification and Energy Infrastructure Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Daniel Abraham, PhD, Senior Materials Scientist, Argonne National Laboratory

1:25 pmCasual Networking Luncheon

2:15 pm

Chairperson's Remarks

Daniel Abraham, PhD, Senior Materials Scientist, Argonne National Laboratory

2:20 pm Technological Breakthrough Driven by Electrolyte with High Ionic Conductivity

Naoki Matsuoka, General Manager, R&D Center, Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH

We present the proof-of-concept (POC) of a lithium-ion battery (LIB) featuring a proprietary high ionic conductive electrolyte developed by Asahi Kasei. Our novel electrolyte significantly outperforms conventional ones, with cells showing superior power at -40°C and doubled cycle life at 60°C before reaching a state-of-health (SOH) of 80%. The use of our electrolyte enhances ionic conductivity and prevents degradation, thus improving battery longevity and performance.

2:40 pm

Material Science Solutions for Advanced Mobility Applications

Saikat Banerjee, PhD, Senior Scientist & Analytical Lab Leader, DuPont

DuPont is focused on developing and delivering the best-in-class solutions the industry needs for auto electrification and sustainability. We have a robust portfolio providing solutions to a wide range of challenging areas. For this presentation, we are excited to focus on adhesive technologies that build a better battery, create durable body structures, secure and protect drivers and passengers, and help ensure the same durability and safety through aftermarket repair. 

3:00 pm Liquefied Gas Electrolyte for Next-Generation Li-ion Batteries

Cyrus Rustomji, Co-Founder and CSO, South 8 Technologies

South 8 Technologies has developed a novel Liquefied Gas Electrolyte (LiGas) to power the next generation of Li-ion batteries and advance a clean energy future. The LiGas electrolyte has been validated with OEMs and demonstrated to meet or exceed automotive cell performance requirements. In this talk, South 8 will provide an update on advanced cell chemistries to power the automotive future and on LiGas scale-up operations to meet growing demand from customers.

3:20 pm MODERATED Q&A:

Session Wrap-Up

PANEL MODERATOR:

Daniel Abraham, PhD, Senior Materials Scientist, Argonne National Laboratory

PANELISTS:

Saikat Banerjee, PhD, Senior Scientist & Analytical Lab Leader, DuPont

Naoki Matsuoka, General Manager, R&D Center, Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH

Cyrus Rustomji, Co-Founder and CSO, South 8 Technologies

3:35 pmSession Break

CLOSING PLENARY PANEL DISCUSSION

3:45 pm PANEL DISCUSSION:

U.S. Post Election EV Landscape: Opportunities & Illusions

PANEL MODERATOR:

Christina Lampe-Onnerud, PhD, Founder and CEO, Cadenza Innovation

With the turbulent U.S. presidential elections now over, what are the implications for the global battery industry and what are the prospects for growth going forward. As the world transitions to electrification, many challenges and market corrections lay ahead. This panel of experts will discuss forecasts and insights about opportunities, challenges, barriers, and key factors shaping the EV roadmap and where the industry is going in the near and long term.

PANELISTS:

Tobias Glossmann, Principal Systems Engineer, HV Battery Research and Test Lab, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America

Ahmad Pesaran, PhD, Chief Energy Storage Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Michael Sanders, Senior Advisor, Energy, Avicenne Energy

Mark Lu, PhD, Senior Industrial Analyst, Industrial Economics & Knowledge Center, Industrial Technology Research Institute

4:45 pmClose of Conference






Submit a Speaker Proposal

Battery Chemistries for Automotive Applications - Part 1
Battery Chemistries for Automotive Applications - Part 2