Wildcat Discovery Technologies has developed both in situ and ex situ surface passivation methods for lithium metal to significantly boost the cycling performance of lithium metal batteries. We will show investigation of passivation materials in combination with a variety of electrolyte compositions. As a result, we demonstrate several protection layers for the lithium anode surface that show significant improvements in cycling, even at 0.9 mA/cm2 charging current.

While planning for future generations of automotive batteries, one must consider the viability of new cell technologies versus the anticipated state-of-the-art. Solid-state and/or lithium metal batteries promise enhanced energy density and safety, yet they will be subject to the same comprehensive set of requirements as forthcoming, highly-optimized lithium-ion cells. Practical demonstrations at scale are needed to validate many of the promised features. This presentation will provide a car manufacturer’s perspective on the challenges these concepts must still overcome on the path to commercialization.

Although many approaches have been proposed to rescue Li metal anodes, most of the work has not been further validated at practically relevant conditions. This talk will start from the origin of uneven deposition of Li metal from the electrochemical point of view, followed by the discussion of developing a testing protocol to effectively validate new concepts for industry adaptation.

The Faraday Institution is the UK’s independent institute for electrochemical energy storage research and skills development. It brings together 450 researchers, with 50+ industry partners and $95m of UK government funding on research projects to meet industry needs – particularly for automotive applications. Dr Paterson’s talk will present an overview of the Faraday Institution’s projects, detail case studies of where the organisation is delivering scientific impact, and outline opportunities for collaboration for overseas researchers. 

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) and Lithium-selenium (Li-Se) batteries are considered as promising candidates for next-generation battery technologies, as they have high energy density and low cost. However, due to the use of a solid Li-metal anode and a liquid organic electrolyte, the current Li-S and Li-Se batteries face several issues in terms of Coulombic efficiency and cycling stability, which have seriously impeded their development. Here, we report solid-electrolyte-based, liquid Li-S and Li-Se (SELL-S and SELL-Se in short) batteries.

CAMX has focused on high nickel cathode materials for over a decade, engineering the interior of the secondary particle, and receiving global patents for the inventions. We will motivate the need to enhance existing materials with the GEMX cathode platform, describe pathways to lower cobalt, highlight applications, and introduce extensions.

Advancements in the capabilities of Li-ion batteries have slowed down in the last decade. As conventional intercalation-type electrode materials approach their theoretical limits, substantial gains in battery energy density only come as trade-offs in safety or performance. This talk will delve into the opportunities to boost energy density and safety by implementing disruptive materials’ technologies. It will also discuss various technical challenges associated with the development and introduction of new conversion-type materials that are fully compatible with existing battery production facilities. Finally, the talk will showcase a successful transition from fundamental academic studies to material manufacturing on a large industrial scale.

In semiconductors, there’s Moore’s Law, where the number of transistors doubles every 18 months; in battery, a similar law applies, where the energy density doubles every 30 years. Li-metal cells can double the energy density of conventional Li-ion. SolidEnergy has been developing a unique electrolyte system that enables Li-metal to perform safely and reliably at more than 400 Wh/kg. It has also built and demonstrated Li-metal at pilot scale, and has been validated by customers in drones and electric vehicles.

There is tremendous interest in making the next super battery, but state-of-the-art Li-ion technology is proven and has achieved widespread adoption. Supplanting Li-ion will require a battery technology that provides significant improvements in performance, safety, and cost. Recent material breakthroughs in Li metal solid-state electrolytes could enable a new class of non-combustible solid-state batteries (SSB), delivering twice the energy density (1,200 Wh/L) compared to Li-ion.

Ilika has developed solid-state lithium micro-batteries for deployment in biomedical, IoT, and other applications that benefit from autonomous sensing. Ilika is now engaged in the development of large-format, solid-state batteries targeting the automotive powertrain. The materials and manufacturing approach to achieve viable composite-layer, solid-state batteries will be presented, together with performance characteristics and our technical roadmap.

Solid-state Li-batteries are a transformational and intrinsically safe energy storage solution. However, progress has been limited by high solid-solid interfacial impedance, and reports of Li-dendrites and corresponding “critical current density”. By surface modification to enable Li-metal wetting and fabricating tailored 3D microstructures using scalable ceramic fabrication techniques, we have been able to overcome these limitations, achieving 10 mA/cm2 room-temperature Li-cycling. Results for Li-metal anode/garnet-electrolyte based batteries with different cathode chemistries will be presented.

Livent has been supplying the Li-ion industry high-quality lithium products, including carbonate, hydroxide and metal, since the 1950s. To meet the world’s growing demand for portable electronics, electric cars, and large-scale stationary storage facilities, Livent focuses its R&D on testing and understanding new ways to improve energy storage and lithium delivery. Livent’s printable lithium technology paves the way toward the commercialization of the next generation of advanced lithium-ion and solid-state batteries.

Changes of the spatial distribution of lithium and electrolyte in the graphite anode in cycled Li-ion cells were monitored using neutron diffraction measurements at 150 K. Local loss of lithium and electrolyte, and their non-uniform distribution in the graphite anode in aged Li-ion cylindrical cells, were directly correlated with electrochemical performance degradation mechanisms, which are responsible for the observed cell-capacity fade and impedance rise.

Electrodes are limited in their electrochemical stability and electrical performance by polymer binders. Nanoramic® has developed an alternate solution -Neocarbonix™ - an electrode platform technology that effectively replaces polymer binders and toxic NMP solvents, allowing significantly improved performance of Li-ion batteries while also reducing the cost of manufacturing.

The presentation will outline the key innovations FEV has implemented in designing the automotive battery packs to minimize pack factors < 1.5 thus maximizing the specific energy capacity of a pack. We will also be addressing the key design considerations for safety and durability while meeting the standards. 

Many EV subsystems are sensitive to battery performance and behavior. The drivetrain, inverters, ECM and ECUs all interact with the battery, and are affected by SoC, SoH, imbalance, alarms, and DTCs. These interactions are difficult, expensive, and dangerous to replicate using actual EV batteries. Grant Gothing presents EV subsystem testing using the real BMS and COTS battery cell simulation hardware. Benefits include improved safety, reliability, repeatability, efficiency, cost and test coverage over real battery testing.