News

January 28, 2016

Nissan EV Batteries (Next Generation) To Be Produced In Sunderland, UK

Originally published on EV Obsession. Nissan has announced that it will be producing future-generation EV batteries in Sunderland, in the UK. First of all, this is exciting news for Sunderland and the UK as a whole, as it means high-quality, high-paying jobs for hundreds of people. Additionally, I’m viewing it […]
January 27, 2016

Self-Heating Lithium-Ion Battery Aims to Conquer Winter Range Anxiety

One of the drawbacks of lithium-ion batteries is that they tend to suffer power loss in cold weather. At temperatures below freezing, charging is slower, regenerative braking is restricted and vehicle range can be reduced. Now researchers from Penn State and spin-off company EC Power have developed a battery that […]
January 23, 2016

The Solutions Project: How 139 Countries Can Hit 100% Renewable Energy

The idea of hitting 100% renewable energy (yes, energy, not just electricity) scares a lot of people. That is, a lot of people don’t think their cities or countries can achieve 100% renewable energy. However, a leading energy researcher at Stanford has led teams of researchers in order to practically […]
January 18, 2016

Two-Level Cathode Structure Improves Battery Performance

As the search for a better battery grinds on, a lot of the attention is focused on potential cathode materials. Nickel is one possibility that shows a lot of promise – its drawback is that it is unstable and tends to have destructive reactions with the electrolyte. Now a team […]
January 15, 2016

New Material Shuts Down Batteries at High Temperatures and Restarts When it Cools

Stanford researchers have invented a new technology that could eliminate thermal runaway in high-energy-density batteries. Thermal runaway refers to a chain reaction in which an increase in temperature causes further increases in temperature and uncontrollable release of energy. In “Fast and reversible thermoresponsive polymer switching materials for safer batteries,” published in Nature […]
January 5, 2016

Saft To Provide Batteries For Over 200 French Trains

Saft has signed an agreement with SNCF, the national railway operator in France, to provide nickel-based batteries for over 200 trains, which employ the Alstom Coradia Duplex electric multiple unit (EMU) platform. These trains can achieve 160 km/h and are used in regional routes in France. The Saft/SNCF contract has been valued at about […]
December 21, 2015

Texas Instruments Introduces Integrated Battery Monitor and Protector

Texas Instruments (NASDAQ: TXN) has introduced what it calls the industry’s first integrated battery monitor and protector. The enticingly-named bq76PL455A-Q1 provides cell-voltage monitoring for large batteries with up to 256 cells in a series. The bq76PL455A-Q1 is designed to reveal a pack’s state of charge and state of health by […]
December 18, 2015

Separion P20 – a New Flexible Ceramic Separator

Litarion, a subsidiary of Electrovaya Inc, has introduced a new, thinner flexible ceramic separator for utility-scale and EV applications. Among all cell components, the separator, is responsible of preventing the contact between the electrodes while permitting a free transport of ions in the cell. Its properties are also closely related […]
December 16, 2015

Navitas to Develop Second-gen Li-ion Batteries for Military Vehicles

Navitas Systems, a provider of energy storage products and power electronics, has won a $7.2 million contract to develop next-generation lithium-ion batteries for military vehicles. As new power-hungry electronics proliferate, the US Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC) has been working with Navitas to develop prototype 24 […]
December 15, 2015

Fraunhofer Aims To Bring Down EV Battery Costs With Intelligent Battery Cells

A new prototype “intelligent battery cell” has been developed by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA in Stuttgart that could lead to electric vehicle battery pack costs being slashed notably. In addition to potential cost cuts, the new prototype could also lead to battery packs […]
December 15, 2015

Nissan and Eaton Collaborate on Second-life EV Battery Applications

Nissan and Eaton have announced a partnership that will use their respective expertise in lithium-ion batteries and power electronics to create commercially viable energy storage and control centers that offer a productive second life for Nissan’s EV batteries after their days on the road. The two companies will deploy a […]
December 11, 2015

Hitachi Researchers Demonstrate Thermally Durable Solid-State Li-ion Battery

A research team sponsored by Hitachi and Tohoku University’s Advanced Institute for Material Research (AIMR) has demonstrated technology that reduces the internal resistance of all-solid-state Li-ion batteries through the use of LiBH4-based complex hydrides as solid electrolytes. A conventional Li-ion battery uses a volatile organic electrolyte solution with a maximum […]