Batteries
We are moving towards an electric world. The global Electric Vehicle Fleet is set to increase to 500M by 2040, ~31% of all passenger vehicles. Greater adoption of electric vehicles is contingent on continued improvement of EV battery technology and infrastructure to meet the increasing demand requirements of consumers.
While global EV adoption is expected to increase steadily over the next 20 years, this growth may be limited if consumers’ needs are not met, specifically the rapid chargeability of batteries.
Reducing Emissions from Transport is an Imperative
- On average, OEMs have reduced emissions by 2.9% p.a. since 2010 compared to 5.3% p.a. required to avoid financial penalties (CDP, 2018)
- Total emissions from transport are now growing relative to other sources.
- Dramatic change is needed to cleaner forms of mobility.
- EVs powered by LIBs are one of the best options for achieving this
- Reduced emissions
Batteries and Electrification
The lithium-ion batteries that power our cell phones, laptop computers and electric cars are a necessary part of our every-day life and will undoubtedly play an integral role in global electrification.
The importance of this technology is about to increase significantly – incentivize our world towards electrification will require widespread adoption of electric vehicles and improved battery technology to meet the ever-increasing demand for better performance, faster charging and increased driving range.
Barriers to EV Adoption
Today’s batteries are unable to meet the growing electric vehicle demand criteria of consumers. The cost savings at the pump no longer provide sufficient incentive to compromise the reliable performance, safety and driving range of the internal combustion engines consumers have grown to know. As we slowly watch our world transition towards electrification, low incentivization of manufacturers to innovate current energy storage technologies has left the most crucial element of an electric vehicle lacking.
- Graphite and silicon anodes, which enable high energy density cells, but cannot safely, or reliably charge quickly enough.
- LTO (Lithium-Titanate) anodes enable safe fast charge but suffer from a very low energy density.
These materials fall short when it comes to overcoming the barriers of EV adoption.
Solution to EV Adoption
Solutions to overcome the shortfalls of typical electric vehicle battery technology which incorporate niobium are currently being developed. When combined with Titanium and Oxygen, Niobium Titanium Oxide (NTO) enables batteries to charge quickly and safely, while maintaining high energy density and capacity – creating a longer range with powerful performance.
Support for Niobium Titanium Oxide (NTO) as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries has been demonstrated by academics and large R&D companies, including Prof. John B. Goodenough – the inventor of the Lithium-ion Battery, Professor Goodenough’s is a proponent for niobium battery research and his efforts have laid the groundwork for a new wave of battery producers, with niobium at the center of their battery performance and innovation.
Faster Charging
New Niobium materials are being developed for battery anodes that can improve the mobility of Lithium-ion batteries. By creating “spaces” in the anode material, Lithium-ions can easily move in and out of the anode creating a very high charge/ discharge rate. When used with Titanium to create Titanium Niobium Oxides (TNO), the anode materials can store ~3x the energy as traditional Lithium-ion batteries. The result is a significant decrease in electric vehicle charging times to as little as 6 minutes.
Safety
As Lithium-ion batteries age, they can begin to short circuit, causing overheating and even fire. This is due the formation of Lithium metal which comes into contact with the cathode, creating heat. In fact, this occurrence has been the reason behind many recalls from large manufacturers.
Niobium prevents the Lithium metal from forming, thereby removing the risk of short circuits.
Source: University of Oxford Energy and Power Group http://epg.eng.ox.ac.uk/content/degradation-lithium-ion-batteries