Li-ion batteries: news, progress, history and background

on the last post: Short notes on Open Access, Peer review & (insane) publications After contacting with editorial of J. of the Electochem. Soc. the Erratum: The Role of Carbonate and Sulfite Additives in Propylene Carbonate-Based Electrolytes on the Formation of SEI Layers at Graphitic Li-Ion Battery Anodes [ J. Electrochem. Soc., 161, A1415 (2014)] come up the authors review the article with correction of most of my points, such as EC scheme here and somewhere else and " Aurbach et al . 54 proposed the two-electron reduction mechanism of PC based on the component analysis of SEI films, which has been confirmed in some specific density functional theory ... " where EC become PC . another from and recalculation of their most calculations.... enjoy ...   PS: This time in Miscellaneous ( Journal of The Electrochemical Society / 2014; Vol. 161, No. 12): 6 articles with Erratum Be careful ...

This is insane! As a long term peer reviewer I read all articles (not only under review) very carefully. From relatively wide observation the only half of the submitted papers might be accepted for further publication. Not counting in this half the articles which need some (more or less) modifications. Indeed, there are almost half of the articles which went through my hands have a very low quality. These include repeating/copying someone else's research, very poor understanding of the obtained results, not willingness, even to try to explain the obtained results, but just referring to previously published articles (from other researchers)  (which means their result is not unique). Since I do not connect with the publishers other than by e-mail as a reviewer or author, I do not know how busy are Journals is to feel the issues. However, I understand that the publishers have to earn some money from what they are doing. Good it or not (very much) for the progress is a big question...

Article on Business Insider : Tesla Stock Is Tanking After A Third Model S In Two Months Catches Fire ( Mamta Badkar Nov. 7, 2013) A Tesla Model S car caught fire on Wednesday in Smyrna, Tennessee, according to Tesla Motors Club blog (via ValueWalk). This is the third Tesla to Model S vehicle to catch fire in the past six weeks, a Tesla spokesperson confirmed to Reuters. The driver of the vehicle was said to have sustained no injuries and a Tesla team is on its way to Tennessee to see what happened. Tesla again pointed out that the fire was the result of an accident and not  "spontaneous." @Nashvillian_ on Twitter posted this image : I-24 #tesla #teslafire pic.twitter.com/ia9tbftn4V — E (@NASHVILLAIN_) November 6, 2013 A Tesla Model S caught fire in Mexico back in October after the car crashed through a concrete wall and into a tree. Before that, another Model S caught fire after colliding with a large me...

Unlike dense ceramic coatings applied as a separate layer on competing separators, PPT’s products contain ceramic particles that are thoroughly distributed throughout their chemically inert PVDF polymer. The particles reside primarily in the pore walls, leaving a large and uniform open pore structure that enables ions to pass through with less resistance and less heat generation.  * More power in high-current applications  * Reduced separator shrinkage  * Increased thermal stability with less cell degradation  * Extended cycle life * Higher bake-out and operating temperatures  * Improved puncture and abuse resistance    Although, the application of such separator may improve safety, however according to presented test data it will have minimal effect, or not significant. Depends on battery package, it may have serious explosion (due to electrolyte flammability) at much lower temperature.  

Polypore’s Celgard Files Suit Against Sumitomo Over Batteries - Bloomberg : "" The complaint, filed Feb. 22 in federal court in Charlotte, North Carolina, claims Sumitomo is infringing a patent issued in 2002 for a separator in high-energy rechargeable batteries. The separators prevent short circuits that can reduce efficiency and limit safety problems from overheating. (Via Bloomberg .)

Power bank battery dismantled and reviewed (backup battery for iPho ne produced in China) Before we start some explanation and disclaimer . Here is a short review, based on observations and simple calculation of one of "power bank" or backup battery for iPhone , which may be found in any shop. I did not intend to do this review simply because I did not buy that device and not going to buy such things in a future (ne ar future ). This example device I have got from my frie nd after its stoped working and actu ally the pla s tic shel l become opened (Fig. 2) . This is not a denunciation or exposure for certain product or certain manufacturer or certain country. I hope t his review will make you more skeptical and realistic about what you see and what you get. All dismantle and photos, as well calculation and conclusions done by me.   Although I dismantle Li -ion batteries (LIB) of any shape and size many times for many years since I have work with it for the l...

Teijin CNF Korea begins production of LIELSORT separators for Li-ion batteries : Teijin CNF Korea Co., Ltd., an Asan-based joint venture between Teijin and major Korean film processor CNF, has begun commercial production of LIELSORT, a Teijin-developed separator for lithium ion secondary batteries (LIBs). Of the two types of LIELSORT-branded separators, Teijin CNF Korea will initially produce one type coated with a fluorine-based compound that achieves superior adhesion to the polymer electrolyte and is highly resistant to oxidation, resulting in LIBs that offer higher output while maintaining stable high voltage. The company also plans to soon begin producing the second type, a highly heat-resistant separator coated with Teijinconex meta-aramid. As part of market expansion strategies for LIELSORT, Teijin has established a wholly owned subsidiary in Seoul called Teijin Electronics Korea Co., Ltd. to sell both separators. This production and sales network, which has close connecti...

Lithium's Prospects - Seeking Alpha : As gas prices reach a staggering $4 per gallon, with early predictions in the $5 range for summer, many consumers who have been reluctant might now be considering the electric alternatives to keep their wheels turning. Lithium-ion batteries, the technology in hybrid electric cars and consumer electronics, are just one part of the lithium market but could be where the most growth and potential lie. Lithium is used in a wide range of applications, from nuclear weapons to medicine. As of 2010, the most common use for lithium was as flux for glass and ceramics (29% of lithium usage in the USA), with the battery industry trailing closely (27%). The most notable use of lithium-ion batteries is in purely electric and hybrid electric vehicles, but lithium also powers cell-phones, iPods, iPads, laptop computers, and other consumer electronics. Some of its other uses can be seen in high-heat lubricating greases, air purification, certain optical devices...

Panasonic to begin mass-production of long-life Li-ion battery system for solar-powered homes in Europe : Panasonic Corporation will begin mass- production this month of a compact, secure and long-life lithium-ion battery system the company has developed for European homes. This marks the first time for the company to produce in volume such a system designed for Europe. The lithium-ion battery system consists of the Panasonic battery module with nominal capacity of 1.35 kWh and a battery management system designed to control charge and discharge of the battery in accordance with customer needs. The battery system stores excess energy generated from the photovoltaic (PV) power system during peak hours of PV generation and discharges the energy as needed, providing a solution as a household battery storage system that helps self-consumption of solar-generated power. It will also enable households to reduce the dependence on grid power and facilitate the further spread of green ener...

"It’s crazy how little we’re funding energy" - Bill Gates Energy research is underfunded by a factor of two, Gates said, referring to the amount of current U.S. government investment in energy research. Underfunding energy research means there is a higher risk that we won’t be able to deliver the needed energy breakthroughs, said Gates. Gates pointed out that funding basic research naturally has a high failure rate: Potentially 90 percent of the projects in ARPA-E won’t make a dent in the future of energy technology, he said. “Look at the battery companies [at ARPA-E], and if you can find the one out of ten that will breakthrough, then great, go invest in it,” said Gates. by Earth2Tech by Katie Fehrenbacher Related articles Bill Gates: The lack of energy funding is crazy (gigaom.com) Bill Gates on Insanity and Energy R&D (news.sciencemag.org) Bill Clinton: We need to boost the budget for energy (gigaom.com) Inventing the Energy Future: Bill G...

The moment of truth:   The Birth of the Lithium-Ion Battery The lithium-ion battery is currently the predominant power source for mobile phones, laptop computers, and many other portable electronic devices, and is being used increasingly in electric vehicles. Its inventor, A. Yoshino, describes the process by which the lithium-ion battery was first developed (picture shows the first test-tube cell) and made commercially practical. Successful safety tests marked the turning point in this work. from Angewandte Chemie International Edition by Akira Yoshino Related articles Envia Claims 'Breakthrough' in Lithium-Ion Battery Cost and Energy Density (InnovationToronto.com) New Lithium-Ion Battery Could Reduce Cost of EVs, Increase Range (cleantechies.com) Cabot launches new performance additive for advanced Lithium-ion batteries (greencarcongress.com) Rechargeable Batteries (ourdailygreenlife.blogspot.com)

Hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte membrane (Photo credit: SandiaLabs ) The highly heat-resistant separator coated with Teijinconex meta-aramid The new separator, which is coated with a fluorine-based compound, is designed for use in laminated-type LIBs. Such LIBs, which feature a gel polymer electrolyte, are used in tablets and smartphones. The new separator readily adheres to the polymer electrolyte and is highly resistant to oxidation, resulting in LIBs that offer greater safety, higher output and longer lifespans. The highly heat-resistant separator coated with Teijinconex meta-aramid maintains its shape even at 250℃. In spot heating tests, Teijin has verified that the separator does not break down even at 350℃. Also, thanks to the separator's superior resistance to oxidation, it enables unprecedented capacity and energy density for liquid-electrolyte cylindrical LIBs used in products including PCs and vehicles. These LIBs also achieve higher levels of safety and longer life...

GBL-based electrolyte for Li-ion battery: thermal and electrochemical performance   Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry: Volume 16, Issue 2 (2012), Page 603-615 Thermal stability, flammability, and electrochemical performances of the cyclic carbonate-based electrolytes [where γ-butyrolactone (GBL) is a main component (at least 50 vol.%) among of EC and PC with LiBF 4 ] have been examined in comparison with contemporary (EC/EMC, 1:3 vol.%, 1 M LiPF 6 ) electrolyte by DSC, accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC), AC impedance, and cyclic voltammetry (CV). This study shows that GBL-based electrolytes have perfect thermal stability and will improve Li-ion battery safety (including flammability) without performance trade-off with the accurate combination of active materials and separator. Several types of negative electrode materials (such as hard carbon, MCMB, and SWF) have been tested to evaluate GBL-based electrolyte influence on SEI formation and battery performanc...