Advanced lithium-ion automotive battery producer EnerDel and the Nissan Motor Company of Japan are teaming up to research a new generation of electrical conductive material intended to reduce cost and improve the performance of electric and hybrid vehicle batteries.
"This project is about continuing the evolution of a critical technology," said Charles Gassenheimer, CEO and chairman of EnerDel, parent company Ener1 Inc. "Nissan is one of the leading companies driving the electric vehicle market today. Over 12 months of discussions on this effort, our management and technical teams have had a tremendous opportunity to get know one another. We are looking forward to successful realization of this project's important goals."
EnerDel recently cut the ribbon at one of the most advanced battery production lines for large format cells at its Indianapolis plant. The facility is currently the only high volume manufacturing facility for automotive lithium-ion batteries in the U.S.
Under the program started today, EnerDel and Nissan will co-fund research of a new electrolyte, a viscous liquid that serves as the essential conductive material between battery electrodes, at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) outside Chicago. EnerDel and Argonne recently cooperated on the development of the lithium titanate battery chemistry, for which they shared the prestigious R&D 100 Award for excellence in technology and innovative design from R&D Magazine, and an Excellence in Technology Transfer award.
"Argonne and EnerDel have been working successfully together for years to advance electric drive in the U.S.," said Dr. Al Sattelberger, associate lab director of ANL. "Our collaboration symbolizes how the best and brightest minds in America can work hand in hand with captains of industry to create best-in-class technology solutions."
"We are pleased to pursue another breakthrough technology working with the leading national lab in the U.S. for transportation and one of the world's most technologically innovative car companies," said EnerDel chief operating officer Naoki Ota. "This is an opportunity to make a major new contribution to the future of electric drive in the U.S. and to forge a closer relationship with a major global car maker."
About EnerDel
EnerDel, a subsidiary of Ener1 Inc., develops and manufactures compact, high performance lithium-ion batteries to power the next generation of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicles. Led by an experienced team of engineers and energy system experts, the company is building proprietary innovations based on technology originally pioneered at the Argonne National Laboratory.
EnerDel produces its batteries at its state-of-the-art facilities in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expecting to be the first company to mass-produce a cost-competitive lithium-ion battery for hybrid and electric vehicles. In addition to the automobile market, applications for EnerDel lithium-ion battery technology include medical, military, aerospace, electric utility and other growing markets.
About Argonne National Laboratory
The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance America's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.
