Australian battery firm Nano-Nouvelle said it has proven its nanotechnology materials, that can boost lithium-ion batteries’ energy storage capacity by 50%, are ready for plug-and-play production.
In a recent trial, Nano-Nouvelle worked with Portland, Oregon-based Polaris Battery Labs to successfully apply a graphite layer to its copper-coated nanomaterial, Copper Lumafoil.
Copper Lumafoil is a conductive, lightweight, porous membrane technology to replace the conventional solid copper foil current collector in lithium-ion batteries, Nano-Nouvelle said.
Copper Lumafoil weighs as much as 70% less than existing current collectors used in lithium-ion batteries.
The trial has proved graphite adheres well to Lumafoil’s porous nanostructure and that Lumafoil is strong enough to work in its existing battery manufacturing lines, the company said.
Lumafoil current collector can produce lighter lithium-ion batteries and can potentially lower costs through quicker assembly and extend battery life through better active material adhesion, the company said.
Stephanie Moroz, CEO of Nano-Nouvelle, said the graphite application trial had addressed key customer concerns. “It demonstrated Lumafoil is a plug-and-play replacement for solid copper current collectors in batteries,” Moroz said.
“By showing that graphite adheres well to our nanomaterial, and that Lumafoil rolls are strong enough for commercial battery production lines, we have passed two major tests set by our customers,” said. “If a customer purchases our Lumafoil current collector material, they can use it as a drop-in replacement in their existing manufacturing process.”
Nano-Nouvelle‘s next plan is to scale up production, Moroz said.
Manuel Wieser, Nano-Nouvelle product development manager, said the technology had generated a lot of attention at the 34th International Battery Seminar & Exhibit in Florida.