{"id":11586,"date":"2017-09-18T15:46:57","date_gmt":"2017-09-18T22:46:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/?p=11586"},"modified":"2017-09-18T15:46:57","modified_gmt":"2017-09-18T22:46:57","slug":"a123solid-power-partnership-a-safe-bet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/a123solid-power-partnership-a-safe-bet\/","title":{"rendered":"A123\/Solid Power Partnership – A Safe Bet?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A123 Systems has worked with buffering chemistries to reduce the volatility of lithium batteries for the last decade.\u00a0 Solid Power Inc. has taken a set of interesting new technologies to make batteries more energy dense and safer.\u00a0\u00a0 The two companies are combining efforts to make a more powerful, less-volatile battery<\/a>, according to recent press releases.<\/p>\n

A123 produces nanophosphate (lithium iron phosphate \u2013 LiFePO4) and ultraphosphate batteries.\u00a0 Their nanophosphate batteries are used in Porsche\u2019s 919 <\/a>hybrid, a LeMans Prototype (LMP1) endurance racer that was outright winner of the event this year.\u00a0 They also power Eva Hakansson\u2019s Killajoule and Bill Dube\u2019s Killacycle – both record-holding electric motorcycles<\/a>.\u00a0 Their Ultraphosphate line <\/a>is designed to work at low voltages and low temperatures, including 48-Volt mild hybrid applications.<\/p>\n

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Porsche 919 hybrid won Le Mans outright this year. Photo: Porsche Motorsports<\/p><\/div>\n

Solid Power<\/a>, a startup based on research done at University of Colorado Boulder, combines (\u201can exceptionally\u201d) high-capacity cathode with a high-capacity lithium metal anode and a high ionic capacity solid separator.\u00a0 This combination produces, according to Solid Power, \u201cprovide substantially higher energy than conventional lithium ion (2-3X greater).\u201d\u00a0 Their inherently safer inorganic materials, with no flammable or volatile components, allow lower costs for modules, since they eliminate the need for complex battery management systems necessary with lithium-ion systems.<\/p>\n

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A123 delivers nanophosphate batteries in a variety of formats<\/p><\/div>\n

Solid Power\u2019s CEO Doug Campbell said, \u201cWe are committed to advancing the solid-state battery industry and pushing the limits on development as a way to improve battery-powered devices such as electric vehicles, portable electronics, and other applications. The investment from A123 will help us continue to make significant strides toward large-scale commercialization.\u201d<\/p>\n

This venture complements A123\u2019s recent investment in Wildcat Discovery Technologies and its technical collaboration with Argonne National Labs, announced last year.\u00a0 Although Campbell says Solid Power\u2019s work is currently \u201cpre-product,\u201d he looks forward to having a viable commercial introduction in the next two years.<\/p>\n

Jeff Kessen, A123\u2019s Vice President of Corporate Strategy, promotes the early bird theory of venture capitalism.\u00a0 \u201cWe acted early as a series A investor to support a promising solid-state technology and look forward to the commercialization of Solid Power\u2019s innovations as they continue to mature.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the oft-promised output of the 2-3X battery and enhanced safety from the solid-state nature of the new batteries, we can only wish A123 and Solid Power \u201cmore power to you.\u201d<\/p>\n