Volkswagen Group invests $10M in Forge Nano; ALD coatings for battery materials to boost performance
23 January 2019
The Volkswagen Group is investing US$10 million in the US-based startup Forge Nano Inc. with a view to reinforcing its specialist knowledge in the field of battery research.
Forge Nano, formerly PneumatiCoat Technologies, is investigating processes for scaling atomic layer deposition (ALD) to create new core-shell materials, especially for battery applications, (earlier post) that could further improve the performance of battery materials.
The data on Forge Nano’s coatings in Li-ion batteries show:
ALD enabled cathode and anode materials increase battery lifetime by as much as 200%;
20% higher battery capacity in large format pouch cells (40 Ah) that pass nail penetration testing;
60% reduced gas generation in cathode material;
A low-cost high-voltage cathode powder with exceptional performance; and
Increased rate capability of conventional materials for enhanced fast charge acceptance using Forge Nano’s proprietary solid electrolyte coatings.
Source: Forge Nano.
As a partner, Volkswagen will provide support for industrial trials of this technology. The transaction is still subject to approval by the authorities.
Volkswagen has been collaborating with Forge Nano on advanced battery material research since 2014.
ALD is a chemical process for applying atomic scale coatings one atom at a time. With its specific ALD technology, Forge Nano aims to boost energy density of vehicle battery cells.
The Volkswagen Group intends to offer more than 50 battery-electric models by 2025, accounting for about a fifth of its entire model portfolio. To safeguard this approach, Volkswagen is cooperating with strategic battery cell suppliers and developing its own specialist know-how in battery research. This also includes targeted venture investments. Volkswagen is increasingly investing in international start-ups to bring innovative technologies forward to production maturity together.
What NET difference in potential performance and cost per KW with this process?
Posted by: HarveyD | 23 January 2019 at 08:26 AM
Harvyd, Wait till consumers carefully do all the testing of these products that are even impossible to test by the top scientific community, researchers, professor, businessmans , engineers, motorists, designers, marketers, journalists, racers, transporters, road builders, transportation passengers, farmers, electric charge mobil circuit designers, natural ressource provider, car racing drivers. Actually all the testing of ice engine have been done and all consumers have seen great improvement of power delivery over the years and are more eager to test the future combinaison of cylinder combinaison and transmission and driveline. There is a new trend of hard core maniacs consumers in north America buying used little cars to maximise the longevity of them, see scotty kilmer on youtube, he is enforcing what I told years ago to stop pollution and cost which is easier than ever as car cost less and less to build and last 30 to 40 years with minimal maintenance.
It's been two years that im testing my manual Hyundai accent and I seen great improvement compared of my old neon 2005 which was better than my mazda 323 92 which was better than my mazda 323 89 which was horrible but better than my Toyota tercel 83.
I still promote that reliable cars with no range issues and and minimal downtime along the long roads are perfect to perform tests while you just enjoy and use them while you doing so.
Also ambiant air is the fuel use by ice engine so it simplifier by 50 the complexity of mobil transportation compared to electric circuit that are very hard to conceive when use disconnected from constant impedance fixed source.
Posted by: regorr | 23 January 2019 at 06:18 PM