A123 Systems has acquired lithium-ion cathode and electrolyte technology from Leyden Energy for an undisclosed sum.
The deal includes more than 20 patents covering Leyden’s lithium titanate (LTO) and non-flammable electrolyte (Li-imide). In addition, some of Leyden’s staff will be relocated from Massachussetts to A123’s R&D department in California.
Leyden’s technology expands A123’s lithium iron phosphate materials portfolio the company commercialised ten years ago. A123 is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Wanxiang Group after its bancruptcy in 2012. The company recently announced to focus primarily on the automotive market.
Leyden is a recipient of the United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) and designed micro-hybrid applications including a LTO/LMO battery for start-stop engines with longer cycle life for legacy carbon-based materials with development funding from USABC.
A23 aims to meet the technical requirements of micro-hybrid applications said Jason Forcier, CEO of A123: “As the world’s original equipment manufacturers continue to invest more effort in the development of their respective micro-hybrid systems, the global diversity of requirements is growing rapidly.”
