By: Alex Holmes, Chief Operating Officer
& Denis Geoffroy, Chief Commercialization Officer Nano One Materials Corp.
How Lithium-Ion Batteries Work
Lithium-ion batteries operate by facilitating the movement of lithium ions from the anode to the cathode through the electrolyte, thereby producing electrical energy.
Charging reverses this process, directing ions back to the anode.
The History of Li-ion Batteries
M. Stanley Whittingham’s Innovation
Proposed first lithium battery, pioneering alternative energy solutions.
John Goodenough’s Cathode Breakthrough
Significantly boosted battery capacity and stability, laying the foundation for future lithium-ion battery advancements.
Akira Yoshino’s Anode Breakthrough
In 1985, Akira Yoshino developed a battery with an anode of petroleum coke, a carbon material which, at a molecular level, has spaces that can house lithium ions. This was the first commercially viable lithium-ion battery.
Pioneering the Commercial Lithium-Ion Battery Revolution
Sony and Asahi Kasei’s collaboration led to the launch of the first commercial lithium-ion battery, revolutionizing portable electronic devices and shaping modern technology.
Electronic Devices
Lithium-ion batteries rapidly became integrated into mobile phones, laptops, and other electronic devices, boasting significant advancements in safety, longevity, and energy density.
Electric Vehicles
Lithium-ion batteries played a pivotal role in powering electric vehicles, contributing to the global shift towards sustainable transportation and aligning with the growing awareness of environmental concerns.
Meeting Global Demand
We’re witnessing a global surge in grid electrification, driving demand for our low-cost, high-performance cathode powders and patented process.
As of March 2023, projections indicate battery manufacturing capacity exceeding government commitments, aligning with Net Zero Emissions by 2050.
Components of a Li-ion Battery
Cathode Active Materials (CAM)
Critical for the transition to clean energy, cathode active materials represent the highest cost component in lithium-ion batteries.
Scaling up CAM production to meet net-zero targets for 2050 brings challenges, but with innovation and collaboration, it can be done.
Common Cathode Materials and Their Attributes
Cathode active materials, with their diverse compositions and raw inputs, are fundamental in defining a battery’s performance characteristics such as energy density, longevity, power output, and efficiency.
LFP
LFP boasts enhanced durability and safety with a lower cost. Its pack density is comparable to that of NMC, making it suitable for mass-market electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
NMC
NMC offers increased density, but reduced durability and higher cost due to the complexity of the materials involved. It is commonly utilized in luxury long-range electric vehicles.
LNM
LNM features reduced density, but increased voltage and enhanced charging capabilities. It represents next-generation chemistry tailored for niche applications.
Battery Energy Storage Systems
Market Benefits
- Rapid Market Growth
- The projected growth is expected to outpace that of the electric vehicle (EV) market over the next ten years.
- Diversified Providers
- A greater variety of Battery Energy Storage System providers, each employing distinct cell strategies.
- IRA Compliant & Investment Tax Credits
- North American cell and pack manufacturing is encouraged through various funding programs that offer incentives or credits, aiming to comply with the Investment Tax Credit and the relevant provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
- Longer Duration Applications
- Larger cells result in extended cycle life (over 12,000 cycles) suitable for longer-duration applications.
Benefits of LFP Batteries
Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are gaining popularity among standard-range EVs, with major auto manufacturers incorporating this technology into a wider range of car models.
High Safety
A low risk of overheating ensures high safety.
Low Cost
The materials used in production are cost-effective.
Long Life-Cycle
Continued high performance and capacity throughout extensive cycle.
Sustainable
Non-toxic, recyclable, and easier to source ethically.
Our LFP Production
Near-Term Opportunities
Since 2021, LFP’s popularity has surged and Nano One has facilitated its adoption beyond China.
Our goal is to leverage our patented One-Pot process to develop this facility as a model for future LFP production plants.
Comparing Cathodes
In LFP based lithium-ion batteries, all of the lithium ions (Li-ions) may be removed and re-inserted during charging and discharging without collapsing LFP’s cupboard-like compartments. This maximizes the utility, efficiency and sustainability of the lithium, iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) battery metals.
In NMC based lithium-ion batteries, if too many lithium ions (Li-ion) are removed during charging NMC’s bookshelf-like layers will collapse and prevent Li-ions from being re-inserted during discharge. This limits the utility, efficiency and sustainability of lithium, nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn) and cobalt (Co) battery metals.
Energy-Intensive Manufacturing Processes
The current processes for refining critical minerals and producing battery materials were not designed to meet the significant demands of replacing fossil fuels which result in serious environmental challenges with existing production processes.
-
Long - Complex
- Wasteful
Long
Complex
WastefulDurability and Cycle-Life
One challenge involves decreased durability and cycle life when using conventional polycrystalline cathode particles. The industry’s approach to address this is by growing large single crystals, which requires longer calcination (kiln) times, consequently reducing kiln throughput.
However, our solution involves the formation of individually coated nanocrystals in a single step, which resist fracture and enhance durability and performance.
Conventional Polycrystalline Cathode Particles
Protective coatings are formed with additional steps but repeated charge cycles damage the coating, exposing individual crystals to side reactions.
Nano One’s Coated Single Nanocrystal Cathode
Nanocrystals, individually coated and formed in a single step, exhibit enhanced durability by resisting fracture.
Scaling Sustainably
Meeting Net-Zero 2050 targets without changing the current CAM manufacturing processes is untenable.
- 1 Billion+ Tonnes of Sulfate Waste
- That’s the same as 250+ thousand Olympic-sized pools.
- 1 Trillion Litres More Water Needed / Year
- That’s the same as 400+ thousand Olympic-sized pools.
- 1.1 Billion Tonnes of CO2(e) Emitted
- That’s the same as the yearly global aviation emissions.
Patented Innovation for Sustainable Manufacturing
Our patented process enables the low-cost production of high-performance cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries.
Join us in revolutionizing the way the world makes battery materials.
This update is provided for informational purposes only and is based on the opinions and interpretations of the management of Nano One Materials Corp. (“Nano One” or the “Company”) as of the date these insights are provided. None of the information or analyses presented are intended to form the basis for any investment decision, and no specific recommendations are intended. Accordingly, this does not constitute investment advice or counsel or solicitation for investment in any security. The Company shall not be held responsible for any direct or consequential loss or damage arising from the use of the information provided herein. This includes, but is not limited to, any interpretation, reliance upon, or other use of such information, as well as any inaccuracies, omissions, or typographical errors. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update anything that is incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. Any actions taken as a result of the information provided are solely at your own risk.
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