Dyson writes off £46m on solid-state battery startup
Vacuum cleaner maker and aspiring EV builder Dyson has written off 46M GBP (over €51M) on U.S. battery developer Sakti3 after a sweeping review of their investment.
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KIT & Helmholtz, Sakti3, Osram & TU Braunschweig, Lithium-sulphur.
Increased energy density: Researchers at KIT and Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU) developed a new cathode material based on a new storage principle for Li-ion batteries. The new system is said to deliver higher energy storage density.
alphagalileo.org, kit.edu
Battery start-up recharged: Hoover millionaire Sir James Dyson will invest 15 million dollars in the solid state battery company Sakti3, spun out of the University of Michigan. Another 5 million dollars will come from the latest round of investment, which included GM. The money is to be used for the commercialisation of the Sakti3 solid state battery (we reported).
electric-vehiclenews.com, technologyreview.com, freep.com
Semiconductor competence: Osram Opto Semiconductors and the TU Braunschweig have developed a competence centre for semiconductors. The ‘epitaxy competence center ec²’ is to foster the use of Gallium-Nitride technology in Germany.
elektroniknet.de (in German)
Lithium-sulphur research: Researchers from Korean Hanyang University and University of Maryland developed a sulphur-carbon nanotube that promises high sulphur utilisation, high Coulombic efficiency, and long cycle life in Li-sulphur batteries.
greencarcongress.com
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Most clicked link on Monday was the Short Circuit and one Australian’s nifty approach on turning a Toyota Prius into a mobile home.
heraldsun.com.au
Lithium-air, Lithium-sulfur, Supercapacitors, LG Chem, Sakti3.
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
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NASA, Sakti3, Formula E, Tesla.
Vertical-takeoff plane: NASA is testing its GL-10 Grease Lightning hybrid-electric plane to see if it could one day transport passengers. The unmanned plane has swivelling wings with ten electric motors, which get their energy from two diesel engines in the back of the vessel.
extremetech.com, nasa.gov
Battery breakthrough? The Michigan start up Sakti3 says its solid state cells with liquid electrolyte would soon offer a capacity of 1,100 Wh per litre, which translates into a 480-mile range when compared to the battery of a Tesla Model S. As if that would not be sensational enough, the company further believes it could bring down cost to 100 dollars per kWh.
gigaom.com, scientificamerican.com
Race cars powered by algae: Formula E has come to an agreement with Aquafuel. The British company will deliver generators to “fuel” the racing series electric cars with electricity gained from glycerin produced from salt-water algae.
businessgreen.com
Start and lock via smartphone: The next Tesla update for the Model S will enable its owners to not only unlock but even to start their electric luxury car with their mobile phone. Among other new features, software version 6.0 will now include navigation with real time traffic data.
9to5mac.com, transportevolved.com
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Most clicked link on Thursday was the unveiling of NEVS’ electric Saab 9-3 EV prototype with a range of about 200 kilometres.
news.cision.com
