US battery firm Pivotal Battery has bought proprietary bipolar plate technology from Integral Technologies as it looks to develop cheaper and lighter lead-acid batteries.
The firm has completed the acquisition of two bipolar plate patents (pending) and all of Integral’s prototypes, trade secrets, and know-how related to the bipolar plate technology.
Pivotal will use Integral’s conductive material, ElectriPlast— a proprietary hybrid polymer that combines metallised carbon fiber in a polymer pellet— in its new battery architecture.
The company aims to work in the stationary market, with a focus on telecom and grid storage applications, and the automotive sector.
Eric Daboling, director of Corporate Communications & Operations at Pivotal, told BEST Battery Briefing: “ElectriPlast is planned to replace approximately 95% of the lead in existing lead-acid battery applications.
“Based on the projections of our scientists, this should reduce the size and weight of a group 24 automotive battery by 50% while retaining the same energy density. This was proven in our Gen 1 battery that was used to prove concept, although the Gen 1 was not built for longevity.”
Daboling said what made bi-polar a good chemistry for the stationary market was lower cost, reduced weight, and reduced size compared to similar lead-acid configurations. “We anticipate a greatly reduced cost compared to lithium-ion, and reduced cost compared to lead-acid in the same applications,” he said.
Richard Bogan, Pivotal’s managing director, said: “Our initial focus is in advanced battery applications in the $40 billion lead-acid battery market, including stop-start applications in automotive, as well as batteries for the micro vehicle market and other low-speed electric vehicles.”
As per the terms of the transaction, Integral will obtain an equity position in Pivotal and will also be the exclusive supplier of ElectriPlast for 10 years, with follow-on renewal options.