Japan’s NEDO Launches Li-on Automotive Battery Basic Research Project with Goal of 5x Energy Density
10 June 2009
Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has launched a new basic research program on automotive Lithium-ion batteries with a consortium of 22 universities and corporations.
The project has established a joint research center at Kyoto University, and will concentrate on studying reaction mechanisms and performance, and elucidate factors governing stability and reliability, with the ultimate goal of developing innovative batteries with five times the energy density of current levels for application in automobiles.
Other members of the consortium include: Kyoto University; Tohoku University; Tokyo Institute of Technology; Waseda University; Kyushu University; Ritsumeikan University; Institute of Industrial Technology Agency; Shizuoka University; Energy Accelerator Research Organization; Sanyo; Yoo JIESU Inc.; Asafa Corporation, Inc.; Toyota Motor Corporation; Toyota Central Research Institute, Inc.; Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.; Panasonic Corporation; Hitachi Ltd.; Hitachi Maxell Ltd.; Honda R & D; Mitsubishi Motors Corporation; and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
NEDO also has underway a FY2007 - FY2011 project to develop high-performance batteries for next-generation vehicles within its hydrogen and fuel cell vehicle portfolio.
This project is focused on the development of high-performance lithium ion batteries, their constituent materials, and associated peripheral systems (e.g., battery controllers, motors); innovative batteries based on new concepts and materials; and fundamental technology to control the electrochemical reaction of batteries. Other important study topics include clarification of battery degradation mechanisms, the development of safety standards, and the development of standard battery test methods.
NEDO is Japan’s largest public R&D management organization for promoting the development of advanced industrial, environmental, new energy and energy conservation technologies.
I don't really understand this post.
If you take present lithium ion batteries as having an energy density of around 100Watts/kg, which is around right for Lithium Iron Phosphate, I thought that the maximum likely was around 200Watts/kg.
I suppose they could be thinking of Lithium sulphur, which might run up to around 600 watts/kg, but has cycle life problems, but within the confines of Lithium ion technology I don't know what else they could be looking at.
Anyone?
Posted by: Davemart | 10 June 2009 at 12:37 PM
Davemart,
Is this what you're looking for?
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009/05/stair-20090518.html
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009/03/new-spectroscopy-technique-clarifies-structural-changes-of-silicon-anodes-in-liion-battery.html
Posted by: Arne | 10 June 2009 at 02:20 PM
Thanks Anne!
I was scratching my head about what other technologies they could be investigating - there are so many out there under so many different technologies that I could not recall!
The lithium air has very low power densities though, so even with super capacitors I am not sure how it would work out for EV use.
Unless they are thinking of combining a couple of battery technologies?
Posted by: Davemart | 10 June 2009 at 02:29 PM
The cycle life problems of LiS, or power density problems of LiAir, could be overcome by use of nano-structured electrode materials.
This has already worked wonders for the previously unworkable LiFePO4 and Li-titanate chemistries. My own view is that we're not far off an Altair-type cell with 500 Wh/kg if we can crack this bit.
Posted by: clett | 11 June 2009 at 01:27 AM