Argonne's lithium-ion battery technology to be commercialized by Japan's
Toda Kogyo
Patented cathode materials result in longer-lasting,
safer batteries for cars, phones, computers
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ARGONNE, Ill. (March 13, 2008) — The U.S. Department of Energy's
Argonne National Laboratory and Toda
Kogyo Corp. of Japan have reached a world-wide
licensing agreement for the commercial production and sales of Argonne's patented
composite cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, which result in longer-lasting,
safer batteries for hybrid-electric vehicles, cell phones, laptop computers
and other applications.
This cathode technology is part of a large and diverse portfolio of lithium-ion
battery inventions and patents developed at Argonne. Funded primarily by
DOE's Vehicle
Technologies Program, the scientists and engineers at Argonne have
developed numerous technologies for improving the life, safety and performance
of lithium-ion batteries, including several types of more stable advanced
cathode and anode materials for higher power or higher energy storage applications
and electrolyte systems that further stabilize the electrode/electrolyte
interfaces. |
"Our agreement with Toda Kogyo is an important step toward bringing to market
key advanced lithium-ion battery technologies that are being developed here
at Argonne with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy," Gary Henriksen,
Manager of the Electrochemical Energy Storage Department at Argonne, said. "The
technologies being licensed will enhance the performance, life and inherent
safety of lithium-ion cells compared to those that employ the cobalt-based
cathode technology that has dominated the market since the introduction of
lithium-ion batteries in 1990."
The family of structurally integrated composite cathode materials being licensed
uses a new combination of lithium/manganese mixed metal oxides in a revolutionary
materials-design approach to extend the time between charges, increase calendar
life and improve lithium-ion cell safety.
The new cathode materials are comprised of a composite matrix using an inherently
stable inactive lithium-metal oxide that is integrated with a highly active
form of another lithium-metal oxide component. This composite allows for greater
levels of lithium to be used, while reducing oxygen-induced side reactions
at the electrode surface that limit cell life and safety. The enhanced stability
of these materials allows the system to be charged to higher voltages, leading
to a significantly higher energy storage capacity than currently available
materials through both the higher voltage and higher capacity per unit weight
of active material.
"We are very enthusiastic about the impact of Toda's commitment to manufacture
and market these technologies through the license," Steve Ban, director of
Argonne's Office of Technology Transfer, said. "We believe the near-term commercial
use of these materials and other battery technologies developed at Argonne
will provide broad benefits to users of batteries containing the advanced materials
and prove the value of closely linking research in basic battery science to
applied R&D efforts in the area, as is the approach here at Argonne."
This licensing agreement is integral to DOE's commercialization efforts, which
includes a full spectrum of activities required to rapidly move a new technology,
product, or process from its conceptual stage to the marketplace.
With over 180 years of experience manufacturing and supplying high-performance
materials in various markets, Toda Kogyo Corp. has established itself as a
respected supplier of materials in the lithium ion and nickel-metal hydride
battery markets.
"We are eager to expand our existing battery material product portfolio with
Argonne's technology, and happy to do so through this agreement," said Andy
Jazdanian, Manager of Toda America Inc., based in Schaumberg, Illinois. Kenji
Ogisu, President of Toda Kogyo's internal Energy Solutions Company, added, "We
believe the high-capacity NMC (lithiated nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide) technology
we are commercializing are the materials of the future, that will solve many
of the performance issues we see today in lithium-ion batteries."
In addition to plants in Japan, Toda recently acquired a plant in the Detroit
area that will help Toda serve U.S. automobile manufacturers. Toda Advanced
Materials Inc. in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada produces cathode materials and
their precursors for lithium-ion and nickel metal hydride batteries with a
combined annual production capacity of 4,000 metric tons.
Argonne National Laboratory brings the world's brightest scientists and engineers
together to find exciting and creative new solutions to pressing national problems
in science and technology. The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne
conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every
scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from
hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies
to help them solve their specific problems, advance America 's scientific leadership
and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60
nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago
Argonne, LLC for the U.S.
Department of Energy's Office
of Science.
For more information, please contact Angela Hardin (630/252-5501
or ahardin@anl.gov) at Argonne.
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