LG Chem has reportedly bought more than 40 patents related to high-nickel lithium-ion cathode materials for electric vehicle batteries from fellow South Korean organisation Hanyang University for “tens of billions of won”.
The company aims to produce an NCMA (nickel, cobalt, manganese and aluminum) cathode, which features 80+% nickel content for its residential battery subsidiary LG Energy Solution.
LG Chem received the patents from Hanyang University’s Energy Storage & Conversion Materials Laboratory.
The patents are evaluated to increase the driving distance of electric cars by 20~30% when commercialised.
Ha Seong-gyu, a former head of Industry-University Cooperation Foundation who led e-technology transfer, said: “This is a historic event in the history of industry-university co-operation.”
Additionally, Hanyang University and LG Chem will conduct co-R&D and run an industry-university co-operation scholarship program following the technology transfer.
Hanyang University president Kim Woo-seung said: “This technology transfer is meaningful as it can share the core technology the university has with the corporation and can invest in national strategic technology by cultivating human resources together.”
An official from LG Chem said: “We have secured outstanding patents for positive electrode materials to secure key technologies necessary for the production of world-class battery materials.
“We will continue to expand industry-academic co-operation to secure next-generation battery innovation technologies and talents.”
