Got batteries??????
Note the thin film polymer part...3M is big news....
3M Begins Phase Two on Lithium Polymer Battery Development:Receives $27.4 Million Contract
ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 20, 1996 -- 3M has successfully proven the viability of basic lithium polymer battery (LPB) technology and will now begin the second phase of research -- that of demonstrating the LPB technology at the modular battery level.
3M made the announcement today after it was awarded a $27.4 million contract for the second phase from the United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) to continue its research. 3M is leading a team of researchers with the goal of creating a power source by the late 1990s that would permit an electric vehicle to match the performance of a conventional, gasoline-powered car.
Beyond the automotive applications, industries that rely heavily on batteries may benefit from future LPB technology, including telecommunications, medical equipment, measurement devices, aerospace and defense.
USABC is funding various programs to pursue several advanced battery technologies. The one being developed by the 3M LPB team uses lithium, the lightest metal on Earth. It is a plentiful material that is well-suited for batteries because it is electro-chemically active and readily gives up one of its three electrons. The battery design consists of cells made from a flexible, multilayered film laminate as thin as 100 microns (0.004 inches) thick. It has five layers consisting of a current-collecting metal foil, cathode, electrolyte, lithium foil anode and insulator. The solid-state design is tough, durable and can be wound and formed into almost any shape, including being molded around other objects. 3M has estimated that a lithium polymer battery pack for an average-size electric car will require several miles of film.
The first phase of the research began two years ago when 3M was chosen to lead a $32.9 million, cooperative research effort to show the viability of thin-film lithium polymer batteries for use in electric vehicles. That phase was completed in late 1995, when the 3M LPB team demonstrated targeted cell performance and cycle life, including the ability of the cells to be repeatedly charged and discharged in series without becoming unbalanced -- a key requirement for overall battery performance.
During the next phase of development, several cells will be connected in series to form a battery pack which, when bundled together, will utlimately lead to an electric vehicle battery pack.
Currently, lead-acid batteries produce about 35 watt hours/kg., which allow electric vehicles to travel up to 100 miles per charge. It is estimated that lithium polymer batteries ultimately may produce 200 watt hours/kg., allowing electric vehicles to achieve distances in excess of 300 miles per charge, which is a distance comparable to conventional gas-powered vehicles.
3M was selected to head USABC's LPB program in part because of its expertise in project management and large-scale manufacturing. More importantly, the manufacture of thin polymer films is one of the company's core technologies. 3M currently uses its thin-film coating, bonding and laminating expertise to manufacture such products as magnetic tape and decorative graphics.
The second phase of research, like the first, is being jointly funded by 3M, USABC, the U.S. Dept. of Energy and Canada's Hydro-Quebec electric utility.
USABC is part of the United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR), a strategic alliance of U.S. auto makers. The purpose of USCAR is to develop "pre-competitive" research and development programs that can potentially benefit each of the auto makers. USABC specializes in facilitating research into advanced battery technology for electric vehicle market development. USABC sponsors include General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, the Electric Power Research Institute and the U.S. Dept. of Energy. |
