ONE reveals 1007 Wh/L anode-free cell that enables 600-mile Gemini battery
16 September 2022
Our Next Energy (ONE), a Michigan-based energy storage company (earlier post), unveiled a 240-Ah prismatic anode-free cell after a successful 12-month R&D effort. The company believes its anode-free cell is the highest energy density large-format cell ever produced.
The technology will enable the commercialization of ONE’s Gemini dual-chemistry architecture, which will be integrated into a BMW iX prototype vehicle later this year.
ONE’s first-generation 1007 Wh/L cell eliminates the need for graphite and anode manufacturing equipment, enabling $50 per kWh cell cost at scale.
Our prismatic anode-free cell is produced with approximately half of current cell manufacturing equipment for equivalent capacity, allowing us to sharply reduce scale-up cost.
—Mujeeb Ijaz, founder and CEO of ONE
Anode-free cells typically have low cycle life compared to conventional cells, which has not made them viable in an automotive setting. ONE’s Gemini dual-chemistry architecture has opened a straightforward path to widespread use of anode-free cells by reducing cycle and peak power requirements by 90%.
Gemini pairs more standardized LFP and anode-free chemistries into one battery pack, enabled by the company’s proprietary DC-DC converter. This allows each specialty chemistry to focus on different functions: LFP for daily driving, and anode-free to extend range for long distances. This combined system is expected to deliver more than 250,000 miles of lifetime service.
Scaling 100x from a 2 Ah pouch cell to a 240 Ah prismatic in less than 12 months is a testament to the simplicity of the design and ability to use conventional Li-ion production equipment. We are moving faster than the fastest research programs that I have been a part of. Gemini will reach volume production in 2026 accelerating electric vehicle adoption by delivering 600 miles of range in a wide range of vehicle platforms, including trucks and SVUs.
—Steven Kaye, ONE Chief Technical Officer
I have a look at their website and still have absolutely no idea how the anode free part of their Gemini battery is supposed to work.
Looking at their chart above, and on the site there is just the same one, then it is lower in Power and Cycle life than the LFP for the rest of the battery, which perhaps is fair enough.
But it also scores poorly on safety.
What?
It should then perhaps provide an 'interesting' user experience.
Posted by: Davemart | 16 September 2022 at 11:06 AM
It may function on a similar tech principle as that of Quantumscape's cell where the anode originates when the cell is being charged albeit both cells are based on different chemistries.
Posted by: yoatmon | 16 September 2022 at 11:40 AM
@yoatman
The issue is I could not track down how it works on their website, so we are left with the proposition that however exactly it works, which they don't appear to say, they are indicating heavily compromised safety, it appear.
Hopefully that is not what it means, but messy and uniformative information on the website is not conducive to optimism.
I looked at it hoping to be pleased, with notions of $50KWh and so on, but came away disappointed.
Posted by: Davemart | 16 September 2022 at 11:51 AM
From the ONE website:
“ Stable LFP and manganese-based chemistries maintain lower internal temperatures than their predecessors, even if the cell is damaged.”.
99% of the work is done by the LFP battery, the “Range Extender” Anode free battery is predominately Manganese Oxide (LMO). Like the first gen Nissan Leaf except a bare copper current collector. (https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a40278231/bmw-ix-experimental-long-range-battery/ and patent WO2022076146A1).
The “Long Range” portion of ONE’s Gemini battery has a short cycle life (around 200 cycles according to the patent), however the range is long and use is very limited.
The low cost is also related to the 6K UniMelt® microwave plasma production system (https://www.6kinc.com/about/news/news/press-release/6k-and-our-next-energy-one-announce-collaboration-to-create-low-cost-gemini-cathode-material/).
Posted by: Gryf | 16 September 2022 at 01:37 PM
Here is another article describing the Gemini battery
(https://www.nxtbook.com/smg/sae/22AE03/index.php#/p/14).
Basically, they put a 207 kWh battery in a Tesla Model S (replacing the standard 104 kWh battery). The LFP Cell-to-Pack battery in this configuration was probably close to 88 kWh giving over 300 mile range. So the “Range Extender” provided the remainder - over 400 miles. On the BMW this is scaled down to 600 mile range. The 2023 BMW iX has a 105 kWh battery and a 324 mile range. Questimate is this would be around 165 kWh battery with a 71 kWh LFP battery providing a daily drive of over 220 miles.
Posted by: Gryf | 16 September 2022 at 02:16 PM
@yoatman,
Li-ion cells which use pure lithium as anode are called "lithium metal batteries".
Most solid state or semisolid state batteries are lithium metal batteries too, but this one does not mention "solid state", so we can guess its using liquid electrolyte (or gel).
I am not sure this battery has legs after the Blue solutions incident in France...these things burn fiercely.
And, as Davemart pointed out, safety is admitedly low.
Posted by: peskanov | 16 September 2022 at 03:15 PM
Hey Gryf, peskanov
Many thanks, I rely on you guys and the likes of sd to keep me on the straight and narrow, when my technological ignorance gets the better of my comments!
This sounds absolutely bloody awful, and should not be allowed on the public highway.
Just because the driver might have to pull over and spend some time recharging is no excuse for installing a potentially lethal fire hazard.
Posted by: Davemart | 17 September 2022 at 01:47 AM
Will the next version have 3 chemistries and be called Apollo?
Posted by: mahonj | 17 September 2022 at 06:04 AM
@mahonj
'Fireball 3' is the leading choice for the new name, I believe.
Posted by: Davemart | 17 September 2022 at 06:52 AM