Supplier of niobium anode materials Echion Technologies has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Inobat, Slovakian electric vehicle (EV) battery maker.
The agreement formalises a collaboration to explore how Echion’s XNO anode material and Inobat’s proprietary battery technologies can be combined to boost performance in high performance batteries.
It guarantees the supply of Echion’s niobium-based anode material and provides access to Echion’s electrochemistry support for cell design.
Inobat will begin exploring the use of XNO, which Echion claims can make lithium-ion batteries able to safely charge in less than 10 minutes, maintain high energy densities even at low temperatures, and deliver high power across more than 10,000 cycles.
XNO materials are based on proprietary mixed niobium oxide compositions and microparticle designs. They are patented and are being scaled up. Its website says production will reach 2,000 tonnes/year capacity by 2024.
Energy density is claimed to be “markedly superior” to other mainstay batteries. XNO powers battery electric and hybrid trains, mining haul trucks, high-demand buses and delivery vehicles. It also has applications in motorsport and space.
