Yardney Awarded $200K for Li-Ion Batteries for Hybrids
11 August 2007
Yardney Technical Products, the provider of lithium-ion batteries for the two Mars rovers, the Phoenix Mars Lander (launched 4 August 2007) and the future Mars Science Laboratory mission (2009), has received two federal awards totaling $200,000 for developing lithium-ion batteries for use in hybrid electric vehicles.
The first Phase I award from the Department of Energy’s Small Business Innovation Research program is to support the development of a novel lithium-ion battery with advanced silicon nanoparticle-based anodes. The resulting batteries are to demonstrate improved energy density, long cycle life, high rate capability and low-temperature performance.
The second companion Phase I award is to support the development of novel lithium-ion batteries with overcharge-safe and thermally stable LiMnPO4 cathodes.
Yardney will collaborate with the University of Connecticut on one of the awards and with Northeastern University on the other.
From the Yardney website: (The superlatives are theirs)
Outstanding energy density - 358 Wh/L
Excellent specific energy - 145 Wh/kg
Long operating life - 2100 deep cycles
Impressive discharge capability:
Continuous 10C rate
Pulse 50C rate
Rapid recharge capability - C rate
Broad temperature capability -40° C to +65° C
True prismatic design
The big question they don't answer on the site is price.
Posted by: | 11 August 2007 at 01:04 PM
This is a Li-ion chemistry I wasn't familiar with. If I don't miss my bets, the cobalt-oxide cathode now has FOUR alternatives:
- Lithium iron phosphate.
- Lithium titanium oxide.
- Lithium manganese something.
- Silicon.
With lithium available from the ocean and silicon being one of the most common elements of Earth's crust, this is also a nail in the coffin of the claims of scarcity.Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 11 August 2007 at 06:37 PM
EP, the titanium oxide chemistry is for the anode. I believe it works with the iron phosphate cathode - hence they are not exclusive.
BTW Has Altair ever said what their cathode is?
I think there are 2 kinds of LiMn, with and without phosphate.
The silicon is for anode and may take phosphate for cathode.
So the combinations are
Anode: carbon, TiO2, silicon
Cathode: CoO2, CoNi, MnO2, MnPO4, FePO4
anymore?
Posted by: Beek | 11 August 2007 at 07:43 PM
Following the link to the list of awards is like looking at a scientists' Christmas list. Something for everyone. Besides this battery technology, there was work on LED lighting, biobutanol and (maybe not so good) CTL.
Posted by: Neil | 11 August 2007 at 08:47 PM
Eventually, vehicular lithium +++ battery packs will have to perform in extreme conditions to satisfy worldwide applications.
Using NASA, Armed Forces and other Federal organisations to fund such development is fair game and will contribute to better EESU for everybody and specially for PHEVs and BEVs.
Production cost will come down drastically went mass produced in countries like China and India where labour cost is much lower. Look what happened to small lithum camera batteries price in the last 2 or 3 years. The price came down 10 folds from $50 to $5 each. When larger vehicular lithium battery packs are mass produced, the price will also come down from $1000/Kwh to $100/Kwh.
A decent PHEV pack of 20 KWh will cost as little as $2K in 2015 and last 200,000 + miles. A 60 KWH BEV pack will cost between $5K and $6K within the same time frame.
Not too many of us will want to by a pure ICE gas guzzler car after 2020.
Posted by: | 12 August 2007 at 07:49 AM
anon: I certainly hope you're right. By 2020 you'll need a 1 ton lock on your gas tank.
Posted by: Neil | 12 August 2007 at 08:07 AM
This is good news. Although I don't really understand the battery technology involved, I do have a Highlander Hybrid and recognize that if I had a more powerful battery my gas consumption would go way down. I will be the first in line to buy a new battery conversion kit when it comes out for my Highlander...if it comes out.
Tim Agazio
Genealogy Reviews Online
Posted by: Tim Agazio | 19 August 2007 at 09:56 AM