Porous electrodes have been 3D printed in the past using extrusion processes in which a strand of material is extruded from a heated nozzle. Interdigitated, or clasped, structures created with this technique provide space for ion flow, but their limited geometries are quite inefficient. Carnegie Mellon University’s new research has developed a completely different additive process… Read more »
Author: Miles Gopie
Penn State researchers develop cold-weather fast charging method for Li-ion batteries
Fast charging cold Li-ion batteries comea with the risk of lithium plating. When metallic lithium is formed in a battery, it can severely reduce battery lifespan and increase instability. Researchers from Penn State have suggested a solution to that problem that can provide 15-minute fast charging and a twelve-year battery lifespan in temperatures as low as… Read more »
Dana to design drivetrain for Mecalac’s electric excavator
Auto tech specialist Dana has been working to create a drivetrain for the Mecalac e12 electric compact wheeled excavator. The vehicle will use Mecalac’s 12MTX as a base frame, Spicer 112 axles and a Spicer 367 shift-on-fly transmission. The e12 will be equipped with a 146 kWh LiFePO4 battery pack that can charge in seven… Read more »
BorgWarner develops exhaust heat recovery system for hybrids and PHEVs
Auto tech specialist BorgWarner has developed an exhaust heat recovery system (EHRS) for hybrids and PHEVs that’s designed to reduce engine warm-up time. Because the EHRS reduces the time an engine is running cold, it also reduces emissions and can increase fuel economy by up to 8.5%, according to BorgWarner. Production will begin later this… Read more »
Henkel to invest heavily in e-drive manufacturing tech
Engine and powertrain specialist Henkel aims to solidify its e-mobility commitment by investing in several new EV-oriented manufacturing processes. Henkel has chosen to focus on developing several adhesive and liquid gasketing materials as well as PCB technologies, part cleaners and lubricants. Here’s the breakdown: Liquid gasketing: Henkel offers a wide range of different gasketing technologies. Recent… Read more »
New Johnson Matthey plant will produce samples of eLNO battery material
Johnson Matthey is currently building a demonstration plant with a capacity of 1,000 metric tons to showcase its proprietary eLNO lithium nickel oxide battery material. The plant will be used for R&D and will also produce material samples. The company intends to use the facility to build its market presence and commercialize its eLNOs, which claim… Read more »
WVU creates research facility for rare-earth metal extraction from mining waste
West Virginia University (WVU) is currently building a research facility intended to develop rare earth metal recovery processes for acid mine sludge. The $3.38 million-dollar project will test the technological scalability of these recovery processes and develop US supply chains from acid mine sources and treatment. WVU will partner with Rockwell Automation, a sensor and control… Read more »
Xtalic materials extend charger connector life
Nanotech specialist Xtalic Corporation has created alloys and coatings that increase battery connector lifespans from 250 charge cycles to 10,000 at temperatures of 150° C and above. In order to do this, the company places certain elements in its primary material’s grain boundaries to create alloys with higher stabilities at various temperatures and accurately controlled… Read more »
Cambridge study reveals fast-charging potential of niobium tungsten oxides
Cambridge research has shed light on the potential of a previously ignored class of electrode material: niobium tungsten oxides. These compounds display several promising properties, including a lack of the dendrite formation which plagues graphite-based designs. They have a relatively large particle size and a structure that allows lithium ions to travel freely. This high transport rate can… Read more »
BYD to complete 24 GWh capacity battery plant
Battery specialist BYD has opened a140 football field-size battery factory in China’s lithium-abundant Qinghai province. The plant is BYD’s third Chinese battery factory, and is part of the company’s plan to increase total production capacity to 60 GWh by 2020. Scheduled for completion in 2019, the plant will be heavily automated, using driverless guided vehicles,… Read more »
