Challenges facing lithium ion batteries include limitations in specific power (especially at low temperatures), usable energy, cycle life, safety and system cost. While some lithium ion battery chemistries are optimized for energy (at the expense of power), others are optimized for discharge power (at the expense of energy) or cycle life (at the expense of both). Further, even the discharge power-optimized batteries possess very limited charge power (further exacerbated by low temperatures), resulting in poor round-trip efficiency at high charge/discharge rates. In either case, the batteries require comprehensive cell balancing electronics to carefully manage intra-cell balancing when used in even moderate power applications.

3-D Nanofilm™ lithium-ion

Ionova is developing the 3-D Nanofilm™ and other low-dimensional materials to address these issues. Our mission is to create very high discharge rate cell technology that also permits a much improved charge rate – a “symmetric cycle” battery capable of 1000’s of deep discharge cycles that performs well even at cold temperatures. The symmetric cycle lithium ion battery will provide improved round-trip efficiency and also improved safety as it will waste less energy in the form of generated heat. This new battery will also provide improved volumetric energy density and reduced reliance on balance electronics.