Researchers from the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin say they’ve cracked the code to a cobalt-free high-energy lithium-ion battery.
The team reported a new class of cathodes anchored by a nickel content of 89% with manganese and aluminum making up the other key elements.
Chinese automotive battery company called SVOLT officially announced two cobalt-free batteries 20 May.
Yang Hongxin, president of SVOLT, said, the company’s L6 cobalt-free long cell was being adapted to a high-end model of car by Chinese vehicle OEM Great Wall Motors.
Tesla is in advanced stages of talks to use cobalt-free lithium-ion batteries from Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) in cars manufactured at its China gigafactory.
If true, it would be the first time the US-based vehicle OEM has used lithium iron phosphate (LFP)— that omit the costly and controversial material— batteries in its lineup.
Battery materials firm Nano One has secured a patent that stabilises lithium nickel manganese oxide (LMNO) chemistry and which could pave the way for a cobalt-free lithium-ion battery.
The Canadian company was issued Taiwanese patent number I672852 relating to LNMO cathode material, also known as high voltage spinel (HVS).
US battery maker SimpliPhi has announced plans to enter the commercial and industrial market with its modular high-voltage, cobalt-free battery.
Because the batteries are modular, the company claims facilities with on-site generation will be able to spread back-up batteries across a number of buildings in the same location, eliminating the need for huge battery banks.
