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The Centre for Process
Innovation (CPI) is part of
a collaboration aiming to
accelerate the introduction of
next generation automotive
batteries.
Working alongside LiNa Energy
and Lancaster University, CPI
is supporting the development
of a robust, low-cost and high
performance energy storage
battery to replace existing lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries.
The project, known as LiNaMan, will demonstrate the technical
and commercial viability of sodium nickel chloride (Na-Ni-
CI) batteries as a new disruptive technology in the UK and
European electric vehicle sector.
The collaboration will also highlight the benefits of Na-Ni-Cl
batteries against Li-ion alternatives, in particular their highly
recyclable and relatively cheap components of steel, nickel,
iron, salt and ceramic, and display their capacity to operate
across a much wider operating temperature range.
LiNa Energy is founded upon a patented novel sodium metal
chloride planar cell, which unlocks the high power and energy
density potential of established sodium battery chemistry
while offering vastly improved safety and reduced product
complexity.
The collaboration will take LiNa’s concept and apply the latest
material engineering to design, develop, manufacture and test
the first-ever LiNa cell.
Process development and process economics of LiNa’s single
cell will take place at CPI’s state-of-the-art formulation facility,
which is based in NETPark, Sedgefield, County Durham.
CPI will work alongside Lancaster University and LiNa Energy,
providing cutting-edge equipment and its wide range of
industrial experience to the project, which will include utilising
its long-held expertise in fuel cell technology and its roll-to-roll
printable electronics capability.
Process development and process economics of LiNa’s single
cell will take place at CPI’s state-of-the-art formulation facility,
pictured above
Process development and process economics of LiNa’s single
cell will take place at CPI’s state-of-the-art formulation facility,
pictured above
Dr Graeme Cruickshank, Director of Formulation at CPI, said:
“By using our state-of-the-art formulation capabilities, we are
LiNaMan Project Working on Next Generation EV Batteries
able to apply our expertise from
other advanced coatings and re-
apply into this exciting area to
create products for our greener
tomorrow.
“It is very much an interesting
and exciting time to be part of
this industrial revolution.”
Dr Gene Lewis, LiNa Energy
Managing Director, said: “Project
LiNaMan will advance our sodium
battery technology and demonstrate the enormous potential
of sodium batteries to decarbonise automotive transport and
provide efficient and effective energy storage solutions.
“LiNa believes this is the ideal consortium to deliver the
project’s ambitious technical objectives and to demonstrate
the tremendous advantages of sodium battery solutions over
current industry-standard technologies.”
The collaboration will highlight the benefits of sodium nickel
chloride batteries against Li-ion alternatives, in particular their
highly recyclable and relatively cheap components of steel,
nickel, iron, salt and ceramic, and display their capacity to
operate across a much wider operating temperature range
The collaboration will highlight the benefits of sodium nickel
chloride batteries against Li-ion alternatives, in particular their
highly recyclable and relatively cheap components of steel,
nickel, iron, salt and ceramic, and display their capacity to
operate across a much wider operating temperature range
Dr Richard Dawson, Senior Engineering Lecturer at Lancaster
University, said: “We are proud to have been part of LiNa’s
development programme from its inception.
“A new sodium battery has the potential to be a truly disruptive
technology that plays a significant role in decarbonising road
transport in Europe and abroad, and an important driver of
jobs growth and wealth creation in the North-West.”
The project will complement existing Faraday Challenge
projects by adding a strand currently missing from the portfolio
and supporting the UK in a fresh sodium technology ideally
suited to automotive applications.
The Faraday Challenge is an integral aspect of the Industrial
Strategy Challenge Fund.
Seeking to lower carbon emissions and tackle air pollution,
the fund supports research and innovation around the
development of new battery technologies for future vehicles
to create a stronger UK materials supply chain.
New-Tech Magazine Europe l 19