Toshiba doubles anode capacity in next-generation Li-ion battery; titanium niobium oxide; application in FY 2019
03 October 2017
Toshiba Corporation announced the development of its next-generation SCiB (Super Charge ion Battery), which uses a new material to double the capacity of the battery anode. The new battery offers high-energy density and the ultra-rapid recharging required for automotive applications. A compact EV with a 32 kWh next generation SCiB pack could recharge to a 320 km (199 miles) drive range (JC08 test cycle) after six minutes—three times the distance possible with current lithium-ion batteries Toshiba said.
Toshiba launched the SCiB as a safe, long-life, fast charging lithium-ion battery in 2008 (earlier post). Since then, the company has continuously refined the technology and improved real-world performance. For its next-generation SCiB, Toshiba has developed a titanium niobium oxide anode material that has double the lithium storage capacity by volume of the graphite-based anodes generally used in lithium-ion batteries.
The new battery also offers high energy density and ultra-rapid recharging characteristics, and its titanium niobium oxide anode is much less likely to experience lithium metal deposition during ultra-rapid recharging or recharging in cold conditions—a cause of battery degradation and internal short circuiting.
Toshiba’s current SCiB employs a lithium titanium oxide anode, and is known for excellent operating characteristics in respect of safety, long life and rapid charging. It has found use in vehicles and industrial and infrastructure applications, including automobiles, buses, railroad cars, elevators and power plants.
Building on this heritage, Toshiba has developed a proprietary method for synthesizing and disarranging crystals of titanium niobium oxide and storing lithium ions more efficiently in the crystal structure.
We are very excited by the potential of the new titanium niobium oxide anode and the next-generation SCiB. Rather than an incremental improvement, this is a game changing advance that will make a significant difference to the range and performance of EV. We will continue to improve the battery’s performance and aim to put the next-generation SCiB into practical application in fiscal year 2019.
—Dr. Osamu Hori, Director of Corporate Research & Development Center at Toshiba Corporation
Rigorous testing of a 50Ah prototype (111mm x 194mm x 14.5mm) of the new battery has confirmed that it retains the long life cycle, low-temperature operation, excellent safety and rapid recharging characteristics of the current SCiB.
The energy density by volume of battery is twice that of the current SCiB. The next-generation SCiB maintains more than 90% of its initial capacity after being put through 5,000 charge/discharge cycles, and ultra-rapid recharging can be done in cold conditions, with temperatures as low as -10 ˚C, in only ten minutes.
Toshiba will continue to develop higher energy density batteries that extend the range of EVs and support ultra-rapid recharging, and aims to commercialize the next-generation SCi in fiscal year 2019.
Part of the research work on the next-generation SCiBTM was subsidized by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
Excellent news on improvement in a fine battery technology.
In batteries though it is always the dog which does not bark which is the critical factor.
What is the energy density by weight?
What is the cost?
Posted by: Davemart | 03 October 2017 at 04:45 AM
Good questions Davemart.
Long life and ultra quick 5,000 recharging cycles could become a technology of choice for extended range BEVs.
However, the 32 kWh unit mentionned would barely cover 1/3 the need for practical BEVs.
Posted by: HarveyD | 03 October 2017 at 08:18 AM
Titanate have quick charge but lower energy density, good for bus/truck applications.
Posted by: SJC | 03 October 2017 at 10:35 AM
Based on what Toshiba has stated, i.e. "energy density by volume of battery is twice that of the current SCiB". Current products like the 23Ah unit has 202Wh/L energy density by volume. This 50Ah prototype has roughly 20% larger dimensions than the 23Ah cell. So expect up to 400Wh/L energy density. Gravimetric energy density probably 180-200Wh/kg again based on the 23Ah cell weight of 550g and 2.4 volts.
This is close to Lithium NCA/NCM batteries, though with fast charging and longer life.
Looks good for bus/truck applications which will require fast charging.
Note: Proterra did use SCiB for some of their buses, new contract with LG Chem for a 160Wh/kg battery system for their long range bus.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 03 October 2017 at 02:08 PM
If they can actually produce these in volume with greater energy density than the old titanate cells it will be a good advancement. Right now all we have is a press release.
Posted by: SJC | 04 October 2017 at 09:44 AM