The US consortium Battery500 has been awarded $75 million for a second phase of research. The consortium has the task of developing next-generation batteries for electric vehicles can that outperform current lithium-ion batteries.
Read morePanasonic to produce battery cells in China: Tesla partner Panasonic has inaugurated its first production facility for EV and PHEV battery cells on Chinese ground, as planned. The new site is a joint project of joint venture between Panasonic and Dalian Levear Electric. Production start is scheduled for the first quarter of 2018.
businesswire.com
Also Elix targets China: With its inductive charging solutions, the Canadian company Elix Wireless expands also in China. Its model E8K chargers with Magneto-Dynamic Coupling (MDC) technology shall be available there by the first quarter of 2018. Elix just opened a development centre in Shanghai.
marketwatch.com
Innovative isolation state detector: Battery tech specialist Sendyn has introduced a new device to monitor the electrical isolation state of high-voltage systems. As it is capable to do so during dynamic operation, the SIM100-Modul could be a future device to alert EV and HEV drivers about hazards.
greencarcongress.com, sendyne.com
How oxygen creates bubbles: In a video, Researchers of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have documented for the first time how oxygen creates bubbles in a discharging lithium-air battery. The phenomenon is known to potentially damage batteries and the team hopes to contribute with its results to better understand and in the next step improve the performance of lithium-air batteries.
greencarcongress.com, pnnl.gov
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
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Electrolyte research: Researchers from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) say they have developed a new electrolyte that allows lithium-sulfur, lithium-metal and lithium-air batteries to operate at 99 percent efficiency, while having a high current density and without growing dendrites.
greencarcongress.com, pnnl.gov
Cathode research: Researchers from Singapore and Canada have synthesized silicate-based nanoboxes that, according to the researchers, could more than double the energy capacity of lithium-ion batteries as compared to conventional phosphate-based cathodes.
greencarcongress.com, hydroquebec.com
More range for e-buses: Proterra has introduced an optimised battery system for its electric buses. The TerraVolt XR has a capacity of up to 321 kWh, allowing for a range of up to 180 miles.
greencarcongress.com, automotive-business-review.com
Powering forklifts: Electrovaya and Mondelez Canada will work together on batteries for electric forklifts. The Li-ion battery packs are “essentially maintenance free” and “run continuously over three shifts,” Electrovaya says. Field tests will begin in the coming months.
finance.yahoo.com
Most clicked link on Wednesday was the Briefcase Electric Scooter from Coolpeds, a carry-on sized suitcase that folds out into an electric scooter.
gizmag.com
Solar research: Bochum University of Applied Sciences and ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe are collaborating in solar vehicle construction. At the heart of the project is the ‘ThyssenKrupp SunRiser’, a new solar-powered race car that will compete in the Australian World Solar Challenge this October.
thyssenkrupp-steel-europe.com
Dendrite prevention: Researchers from DoE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory together with Chinese and American partners have discovered a new additive for electrolytes. Adding cesium hexafluorophosphate (CsPF6) improves battery perfomance while suppressing dendrite formation on electrode surfaces during the charging process, according to the researchers.
phys.org
Tesla control via Apple watch: While the Apple Watch is not expected before this April, ELEKS Labs already has developed a Tesla app. The program is designed to show the state-of-charge and remaining range right at your wrist but is also said to serve as a key to lock or unlock the Model S.
usatoday.com, elekslabs.com, youtube.com (teaser vid)
German battery production expansion: BMZ (Batterien-Montage-Zentrum) has started construction of what is calls “Europe’s largest battery production” at Karlstein, Germany. Until 2020, the company plans to invest 45 million euros (51m USD) in six new laboratories, offices and production facilities. The first two buildings are to be finished already this year. If all goes according to plan, BMZ expects to assemble 80 million Li-ion batteries with a total capacity of 5 GWh annually.
elektromobilitaet-praxis.de (in German)
Most clicked link on Wednesday was the report on boursier.com about the recently announced measures to foster e-mobility in France.
boursier.com
Wireless front charger: Researchers from the German Fraunhofer IISB have developed a new inductive charger. The system does not charge the EV from underneath but at the front. The car can get closer, basically touching the charger, which means the system requires smaller coils. It is thus more efficient, more cost-effective and safer as it less likely for the energy flow to be interrupted.
phys.org, greencarcongress.com
Hybrid battery: Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have build a hybrid battery that combines the advantages of lithium and magnesium. The developers reported strong rate performance and cycling stability. Furthermore, magnesium “is low-cost, safe and environmentally benign.”
greencarcongress.com
Tesla lemon: Ironically, car tester Edmunds seems to have picked the lemon among the Model S for its long-term test that started 17 months ago. By now, the Tesla had its motor exchanged three times and also got a new battery and display already among other flaws.
edmunds.com
Most clicked link on Thursday was Autobild‘s report about future electric cars from Audi. You can find some Englisch links below in the service.
autobild.de (in German)
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Different Outlander PHEV for USA: Mitsubishi aims to launch its PHEV in the U.S. in November 2015 and it appears the new model will be worth the wait. Instead of only minor updates, the U.S. version is said to boast a refined hybrid drive different from the European model.
autoblog.com
Silicon sponge anode: Researchers from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and UC San Diego have developed a “mesoporous silicon sponge” material that serves Li-ion batteries as anode. The team reports high energy capacity and cycle stability and plan to develop a larger battery prototype soon.
greencarcongress.com
Twofold catalyst: Chemists at the German Ruhr-Uni Bochum have developed a new catalyst based on carbon, which enables two opposite reactions: electrolysis of water and combustion of hydrogen with oxygen. This might make the storage of renewable energy possible and help the production of cost-efficient EV batteries.
nanowerk.com
Beach-based battery: Researchers at the University of California, Riverside’s Bourns College of Engineering, have developed a Li-ion battery that has sand, or better quartz, or to be precise silicon dioxide as its base. The battery is said to outperform the current industry standard by 300%.
ubergizmo.com, ucrtoday.ucr.edu
Most clicked link on Wednesday was the news of BMW and Daimler jointly developing one common technology for a wireless charging system.
electriccarsreport.com
Hybrid anode for Li-S batteries: Researchers at PNNL have designed a protection system for the anode of lithium–sulfur batteries. Electrically connected graphite and lithium metal functions as an artificial solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer that prevents destructive chemical reactions. This could prolong battery life up to four times.
sciencedaily.com, greencarcongress.com
25 million dollar LoNo program: The U.S. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has money left to spend on the deployment of low- or no-emission (LoNo) buses. 21.6 million dollars are available for vehicles other than prototypes, another 3.3m dollars for equipment and infrastructure.
greencarcongress.com
International V2G standard: A part of the ISO/IEC 15118-2 standard regarding the two-way communication between electric vehicle and charging stations, has been accepted by the ISO authority as ‘FDIS’ (Final Draft for International Standard). Now, the IEC has to approve the draft before a final document can be prepared and eventually issued as international standard for V2G.
smart-v2g.info (In German)
Bridgestone tyres for i3: The Japanese exclusively deliver slim tyres for the all-electric BMW. The new Ologic line uses a diameter usually known from race car tyres and combines it with a narrow tread design. The tyres are said to improve aerodynamics and rolling resistance while providing safe grip.
thegreencarwebsite.co.uk
