Silicon anodes

Electric vehicles could be so great - if it wasn't for the battery. Unfortunately, the laws of physics and the rules of chemistry impose strong limits on the further development of current battery technology. Until something completely new comes around, battery research concentrates on fine tuning the existing tech.

But, since today's battery technologies are fairly mature, even small enhancements take a lot of effort.A new type of anode can make a rather big difference in Li-Ion batteries; 3M talks about an increase of cell capacity by about 40 percent when matched with high-energy battery cathodes. The company is heavily investing in research and manufacturing of novel Silicon (Si) based anode materials which may be useful in future automotive applications. Even the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funded this research with a grant for $4.6 million as part of efforts to build more energy-efficient vehicles.

The research is supposed to help to develop and integrate new cell materials that have the potential to change energy density and cost in lithium ion batteries used in electric vehicles for the better. Especially critical to the project success is 3M’s Si based anode material. The investment in research and development includes putting in optimized battery materials technology for cathode, anode and battery electrolyte additives into the project.

»3M has a proven track record of being an innovator in battery materials, and we are committed to supporting the growing lithium ion battery industry,»« said Chris Milker, business development manager for 3M Electronic Markets Materials Division. »Our investment into research and development, coupled with our experience and portfolio of more than 40 core technologies – including nanotechnology, adhesives, precision coating, fluoromaterials – give us the tools and confidence in our ability to develop next-generation materials for better cells.«