A team including University of Tokyo researchers has presented a viable alternative to cobalt metal that it says can outperform current lithium-ion battery (LIB) chemistry. The researchers claim that the new electrodes and electrolyte are cobalt-free, improve battery chemistry, and last for many recharge cycles. The new LIBs can deliver 4.4 V, compared to the… Read more »
Author: N. Mughees
Renault and Valeo develop new electric motor for EVs
Carmaker Renault and equipment manufacturer Valeo in France are collaborating to create a new electric motor generation. E7A, the third generation of this motor, is in the prototype stage and will debut in 2027. Renault is contributing the rotor and Valeo the stator, and both companies are providing technology development and production expertise. Renault plans… Read more »
Asahi Kasei to expand coating capacity for lithium-ion battery separators
Japanese chemicals company Asahi Kasei will invest in additional equipment for coating Hipore lithium-ion battery (LIB) separators. From the first half of fiscal year 2026, Asahi Kasei LIB separator facilities in the US, Japan, and South Korea will start installing new coating lines. Hipore wet-process LIB separators from Asahi Kasei are polyolefin microporous base film… Read more »
Fluor wins engineering contract for industrial-scale sodium-ion battery plant
US-based engineering construction company Fluor has announced that its Advanced Technologies & Life Sciences business line has been selected by Swedish sodium-ion battery manufacturer Altris to provide front-end engineering and design (FEED) services for an industrial-scale sodium-ion battery production facility in Sandviken, Sweden. Altris is a Swedish sodium-ion battery maker that develops cathodes, electrolytes, battery… Read more »
Renesas unveils processor roadmap for next-gen automotive SoCs and MCUs
Japanese semiconductor supplier Renesas Electronics has announced its next-generation automotive digital system on chips (SoCs) and microcontrollers (MCUs). Renesas revealed its fifth-generation R-Car SoC for applications needing in-package chiplet integration technology, giving automotive engineers the option to customize designs. For example, if Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) need more AI performance, engineers can integrate AI… Read more »
Researchers shape hard carbon to form high-capacity electrodes for sodium-ion batteries
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science (TUS) are developing high-capacity electrode materials for sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) and potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) to compete with lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In the study published in Advanced Energy Materials, the researchers reported a new synthesis strategy for nanostructured hard carbon (HC) electrodes. HC lacks a crystalline structure—unlike graphene or diamond—and… Read more »
ZF introduces a purely electric brake system for software-defined and electric vehicles
German automotive company ZF has presented a new, purely electro-mechanical brake system for the global market. The new system uses an electric motor to generate braking force at each whee, without a hydraulic system and brake fluid. ZF also sells hybrid forms with a hydraulic front axle and an electric rear axle, as well as… Read more »
LG Chem, LX Hausys develop flame retardant to delay thermal runaway in EV batteries
Chemicals company LG Chem and technology manufacturer LX Hausys in South Korea have developed a material that can withstand a 1,500° C flame for over 20 minutes, delaying battery thermal runaway. The Special Flame-Retardant Continuous Fiber Thermoplastic (CFT) can withstand strong flames and high pressure 14 times longer than other thermoplastics, according to the company…. Read more »
ABI Research: tech advances to drive six-fold increase in EV battery production by 2030
New research from global technology intelligence firm ABI Research finds that global EV battery output production could increase by nearly six times to 2,585 GWh by 2030. This EV battery surge will strain raw material supply. ABI predicts that lithium and cobalt consumption for EV batteries will grow by 5.3 times and 3.2 times, respectively,… Read more »
Stellantis and Orano enter EV battery recycling agreement
Automaker Stellantis and nuclear energy company Orano have signed a memorandum of understanding to form a joint venture to recycle EV batteries and scrap. Stellantis will have access to cobalt, nickel and lithium from gigafactories in Europe and North America for electrification and energy transformation. The joint venture will produce “black mass” or “active mass.”… Read more »
