The research project “SoLiS – Development of Lithium-Sulphur Solid State Batteries in Multilayer Pouch Cells”, which started in July 2021 and is funded by the German government with almost 1.8 million euros, aims to transfer a promising battery concept from basic research to industrial application.
LG Chem of South Korea announces its newly developed lithium-sulfur batteries helped an unmanned aircraft (UAV) complete a test flight into the stratosphere. The drone with broad wings and solar cells also set a national altitude record.
Toyota triplet at Le Mans: The Japanese will send a third hybrid to compete in the WEC racing series this year. Reportedly, Porsche plans to conquer the 24 hours with two 919, while Audi left the series. autosport.com
Fastest synthetic catalyst to make H2? Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have now developed a synthetic catalyst producing 45 million hydrogen molecules per second by controlling the structural dynamics of the molecular catalyst. Instead of platinum, this catalyst has nickel at its core. The principle was inspired by bacteria. greencarcongress.com
Shuttle interrupted: European researchers say they found an approach to convert Li2S into sulfur without the polysulfide shuttle, which usually leads to self-discharge and problem with efficiency and cycle life in lithium sulfur batteries. Their idea is direct and involves carbon enwrapment. greencarcongress.com
Aluminium buses from China: China Zhongwang is developing frames and bodies for electric buses by Brilliance Bus, using mainly aluminium alloy and thus reducing the weight of the buses by 40 percent compared to their steel counterparts. Two prototypes have already been built. The aluminium buses will commence mass production after passing road tests. greencarcongress.com
Efficient 48 V technology: Continental will present an enhanced version of its 48 V Eco Drive system with predictive energy management at the IAA. Cloud-based road data via Continental’s eHorizon will help increase fuel savings of now 21 percent by another two to three percent. automotiveworld.com
Lithium-sulfur research: Chinese researchers have designed new ionic-liquid-based electrolytes with binary lithium salts, said to increase performance of Li-S batteries. Meanwhile, U.S. researchers have created highly crosslinked polymer-electrolyte coating layers to overcome the challenge of soluble polysulfides in lithium-sulfur batteries. greencarcongress.com (China), greencarcongress.com (U.S.)
Solar racer at the start: Cambridge University Eco-Racing (CEUR) will take part in the World Solar Challenge in its solar-powered racer Evolution. Its predecessor had been unable to compete in the 3,000 km race in 2013, as it crashed during road testing ahead of the event. automotive-business-review.com, uk.cars.yahoo.com, techtimes.com
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Most clicked link on Monday was Detroit Electric’s announcement of two versions of the SP:01 electric sportscar. worldcarfans.com
Scania to charge inductively: Together with the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Scania will be testing a plug-in hybrid bus in the Swedish city of Södertälje from June 2016. The bus is based on the Scania Citywide and will be charged inductively at a bus stop. greencarcongress.com, scania.com
Autonomous electric ATV: Rogue Rovers from Oregon has completed a prototype of an autonomous EV which could be used in agriculture to i.e. apply pesticides without a human driver. Potential customers could start testing the electric ATV by January. bizjournals.com
Supercap investment: Lomiko Metals will invest in a new venture named Graphene Energy Storage Devices. Graphene ESD has been formed to commercialize graphene-based supercapacitor technology. digitaljournal.com, greencarcongress.com
Lithium-Sulfur research: Researchers from Cambridge and Beijing have devised a three-dimensional hierarchical sandwich-type graphene sheet sulfur/carbon composite to address performance-related issues in Lithium-sulfur batteries such as low efficiency and capacity degradation. greencarcongress.com, alphagalileo.org
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Most clicked link on Wednesday was the new electric mini bus service that now travels through the Old Town of Geneva, Switzerland. thelocal.ch
Lithium-air research: Scientists at the universities Graz, St. Andrews, Oxford and Amiens, as well as Collège de France have been able to better clarify the discharge process of lithium-air batteries. They say the key to increase capacity is an electrolyte with high donor number like i.e. sulfoxides or imidazole. idw-online.de, science.apa.at (all articles in German)
Next-gen lithium-sulfur cells: Battery specialist Oxis Energy says it developed such a cell with an energy density of 300 Wh/kg, increasing its capacity twelve fold to 25 Ah within 18 months. The company believes it can develop cells with an energy density of 500 Wh/kg by 2018. According to Oxis, vehicle manufacturers are already reviewing and evaluating the cell technology. chargedevs.com, oxisenergy.com
Supercapacitors for EVs: Researchers at the Queensland University of Technology have developed a lightweight supercapacitor, that was made into a thin film with a high power density. The supercaps could be embedded in a car’s body panels, roof, doors, bonnet and floor. The scientists say that once they increase energy density, the supercapacitors could allow for a range of around 500 kilometres. qut.edu.au
Battery talks: Autoline Network airs a discussion between (among others) the CEO of LG Chem’s North American unit and the founder of Sakti3 about the future of batteries. The experts agree that for at least the next 10 to 15 years, nothing will be able to replace lithium cells. youtube.com (Video) via greencarreports.com
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Most clicked link on Tuesday was Italian e-bike manufacturer Velorapida that has adopted the ZeHus Bike+ kit for an unlimited range. technologicvehicles.com
All-electric race cars: When Spanish Quimera presented their AEGT Evo2 electric racer last year, they created quite a stir in the world of motor sports. Quimera keeps moving and now published first renderings of its AEGF which is said to come with “Formula 1 specifications.” electricautosport.com
Dream big and electric: Icon has come up with the Helios, a rather iconic looking road cruiser which the company seeks to commission. Founder Jon Ward is hoping for Elon Musk to share his Model X platform with him while designer Ralph Lauren would be Ward’s favoured first customer. topgear.com
Swiss win: The Formula Student Electric team from ETH Zürich took the first place at the recent competition at Hockenheim. Second-best was the team of German Stuttgart Uni leaving the Dutch three-time winner Delft University of Technology behind. electricautosport.com
More Li-sulfur: Researchers at the University of Texas say they increased the capacity of lithium-sulfur batteries by using titanium disulfide and sulfur for the cathode. Meanwhile, British OXIS Energy and Multi Source Power Technologies (MSP) will jointly develop Li-sulfur batteries for ships and boats and aim to launch by spring 2015. greencarcongress.com (Texas Uni), greencarcongress.com (OXIS/MSP)
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Most clicked link on Monday was the ‘Short Circuit’ with the Youtube clip of Koodo’s mobile charging station. youtube.com