New possibilities in developing next generation batteries
Driven by electric vehicles (to combat city pollution), energy storage (combined with renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gases), and portable communication devices, the Li-ion battery market is growing at 12% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). The market will be >1200 Gigawatt-hours at a value of more than 75 Billion USD by 2025. Most automotive companies are now investing in batteries and are in a race to patent critical next-generation battery technologies and battery management systems. And we’re not talking about standard chemical companies like Umicore or Johnson Matthey only. Companies related to fossil energy or mining are also entering the battery value chain. Sumitomo metal and mining is one of the largest producers of cathode materials for Li-ion batteries for example. And SK Innovation, the largest crude oil refiner in Korea, is setting up battery Giga factories in Europe and the US.
To put it in a tangible perspective, one Gigawatt-hour of battery energy is enough to make 10 million Tesla Model S cars. Battery technology is, however, still evolving. The latest Tesla Model S electric car is claimed to have a range of 402 miles with a single charge, and 15 minutes charging time for a drive of 136 miles. Future battery technologies like Solid-state or Lithium-sulfur batteries will likely push this range to well over 1000 miles and much faster charging time.
Does an analytical company have the right to play?
Our role at Malvern Panalytical is to give battery researchers the support they need to deliver much-needed breakthroughs, guiding them through major scientific leaps via the safest and most efficient route available. Key to this is helping them investigate the causes of battery failure. It is a first step in order to enhance battery lifespans and improve and maintain performance during application.
To do this, we offer a unique set of physical, chemical, and structural analysis solutions. The technologies are designed to accommodate and simplify challenging experimental tasks. Among other things, our solutions enable a rapid, high-precision analysis of particle size and shape distribution and elemental composition of battery materials. Our X-ray diffraction (XRD) instruments can measure subtle chemical phase changes and structural damage during battery charging and discharging cycles. We support new ways of investigating batteries as the research continues. All of this for shortening the path to a successful outcome. Do you know that in 2020 more than 120 battery materials companies benefitted from adopting our particle sizing solution (Mastersizer 3000) globally? This is because the particle size is a critical quality control parameter. And when so much is at stake in terms of safety and performance, going with the best is the obvious choice!
Partnership with NETZSCH Analyzing & Testing
While Malvern Panalytical specializes in morphological, elemental, and structural analysis, NETZSCH Analyzing & Testing has a range of thermal, rheological, and grinding/dispersion solutions. With this partnership, our customers can benefit from a complete range of instruments that complement each other. On top of that, the complete solution can arrive at the successful battery candidates much faster. You can get a glimpse of this partnership on the NETZSCH and Malvern Panalytical websites. And to know more about our combined solutions, you may download the battery brochure:
As the first step in our cooperation, we held a webinar on solutions for the battery manufacturing industry in March. But, that was just the start… Now, we are looking forward to our second joint webinar. The webinar involves insightful talks from experts from both NETZSCH and Malvern Panalytical, as well as practical demonstrations for everyone to engage with.
Are you interested in joining our free webinar?