USABC goals for advanced batteries for 12V start stop vehicle applications. Source: USABC. Click to enlarge.

The LiPF₆ electrolyte used in almost all current Li-ion cells reacts with moisture left over from the manufacturing process to produce a highly-corrosive acid that degrades performance and shortens a battery’s lifespan. This reaction happens even during storage or in normal operation, and accelerates with rising temperatures.

The Li-imide electrolyte does not react with water nor generate hydrofluoric acid, making it far more resistant to heat. This not only has enabled higher energy density and longer cycle life for legacy carbon-based active materials (anode and cathode), Leyden says, but permits the development of new chemistries with high energy density active materials, including silicon anodes.

Building on the proprietary Li-imide platform, Leyden Energy has developed an innovative LTO/LMO battery specifically designed for start/stop applications. Leyden says that its Li-Imide start/stop battery:

• Can deliver a lot of power over a wide temperature range;

• Is able to re-charge fAST, which is critical for recovering regenerative braking energy;

• Is extremely safe due to the inherent chemical properties of the LTO/LMO electrode couple;

• Is low cost;

• Has very long cycle life and calendar life performance fully supporting vehicle warranty programs;

• Is inexpensive and simple to integrate into a vehicle because there is no need for complex battery management systems; and

• Is small in size and light weight.

The new contract is USABC’s second with Leyden; previous research with USABC included a competitively bid technology assessment contract for evaluation of its lithium-ion technology for EV applications in a high energy density pouch cell in relation to USABC EV battery goals. (Earlier post.)

Founded in 1992, USCAR is the collaborative automotive technology company for Chrysler Group LLC, Ford Motor Company and General Motors. The goal of USCAR is to further strengthen the technology base of the domestic auto industry through cooperative research and development.

USABC is a subsidiary of the United States Council for Automotive Research LLC (USCAR). Enabled by a cooperative agreement with the DOE, USABC’s mission is to develop electrochemical energy storage technologies that support commercialization of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and fuel cell vehicles. As such, USABC has developed mid- and long-term goals to guide its projects and measure its progress.

Resources

• USABC RFPI: Development of Advanced High-Performance Batteries for 12V Start-Stop Vehicle Applications

• USABC draft manual: Battery Test Manual For 12 Volt Start/Stop Vehicles