The future leader in Li-ion automotive batteries ?
seanseamour on January 09 2008 at 7:24 am | Filed under: A123
We have hesitated until now to publish data regarding A123 as their Iron Phosphate technology appeared close to other companies I had already published, although summarily. What strikes me today is the link to the Stanford University nanostructure breakthrough that has demonstrated the ability to multiply by ten the storage capability of Li-ion cells (see posting Getting a grip on Lithium-Ion).
It appears that already before the Stanford research announcement A123 has taken a leading position in automotive applications, we previously announced that Continental in Germany was planning to introduce a Li-ion battery in 2008, this will be based on A123 cells, and the company is also in co-leading position with its Korean competitor to supply General Motors’ Volt vehicle.
What is important here is that the manufacturer tunes the cell to obtain either for higher power or for greater energy density. Total energy determines the vehicle’s range, whereas available higher power determines its acceleration — considering that in a marine environment we have no need for higher power (rubber to road versus prop to water) torque is the constant applied to a propeller whatever the rpm. The link to Dr. Cui’ silicon nanowire enhancement to A123 battery technology is of critical value for future marine applications, all the more of claims of increasing energy density tenfold come true as it offsets one of the downsides of this Li-ion technology. (more…)
