Dawning the Era of New Improved Batteries

Energy CIO Insights | Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Tesla’s battery research group headed by Jeff Dahn in Halifax has applied for a patent describing a new battery cell chemistry that would result in faster charging and discharging, improved longevity, and lower costs. Internationally recognized as a pioneer in Li-ion battery, Dahn has been working on Li-ion batteries ever since their invention. He is known for helping to increase the cells’ life cycle, which has helped market the batteries. His work now focuses primarily on potential energy density and durability increases.

The new battery cell comes with improved chemistry that could result in faster charging and discharging, improved longevity, and even lower costs coming from the Tesla battery research group, this patent promises an incremental step toward improving the current Li-ion batteries used in most electric vehicles. It was nothing short that Dahn was skeptical about things over the past couple of years, although this time with previous reports states a group who has been working on additives to the electrolyte to enhance the efficiency of Li-ion battery cell chemistry. The technology is called New battery systems, the battery is based on two-additive electrolyte systems' and promises an impressive leap in battery tech. The documentation attached to the patent application shows how Dahn and his team have been able to demonstrate that multiple additives to Li-ion batteries can improve battery performance, life expectancy, but also reduce the production costs associated with Li-ion battery cells as well. While the answer is routinely adopted by other carmakers, it’s not used by Tesla. The U.S. based carmaker uses the tech in its energy storage systems. But, they use NCA for the battery cells powering their transports. While other carmakers routinely use the solution, Tesla does not use it. The U.S based carmaker's energy storage systems are using tech.

The patent application claims that the use of a two additive electrolyte system enhances the Li-ion battery’s performance and lifetime as well as reduces costs. The new two additive mixtures can be used with battery chemistry for lithium nickel cobalt manganese (NMC). NMC is used in several EV models, but for its vehicle battery cells, Tesla uses NCA chemistry. However, in its stationary storage batteries, Tesla uses NMC. The technology would be useful for both EV applications and grid storage applications, according to the patent application.