New advances in LiFePO4 technology

[Mr Happy]

Researchers at MIT claim to have found a way to increase the energy density of lithium iron phosphate cells, and to substantially increase the charging speed:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7938001.stm

The same improvement in charging speed would allow them to discharge at much higher rates too. Unfortunately the new design is at least two years away from production.

 

[joeparker54]

good post! sounds very interesting. I wonder if A123's nanophosphate technology does something to the same effect.... This is definitely getting bookmarked! I'll definitely try and keep up on where this goes.

 

[VidPro]

i dont suppose they could get my "supercaps" done they wanted me to believe in 5 years ago before they start one more vaporware.

and what about buckeyballs , i just wanted a few.

 

[IMSabbel]

i dont suppose they could get my "supercaps" done they wanted me to believe in 5 years ago before they start one more vaporware.

and what about buckeyballs , i just wanted a few.

You can buy buckballs from Sigma Aldrich, or any decent chemical supplier. They are even rather cheap, nowadays.
Hell, you can even buy single wall carbon nanotubes with guaranteed lengths... for about 50 times the price of gold

Disregarding this, the article obviously is not really sincere. I wouldnt call LiFePo having "slightly" less capacity than Lithium Cobalt...

 

[mega_lumens]

How is this technology different from some rechargeables that take minutes to charge in some new flashlight designs already?

 

[dudemar]

New Li-ion "charges in seconds"

To the mods: my apologies if this was posted in the wrong section.


I don't know if this has already been discussed, but I thought it was worth mentioning:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7938001.stm



According to the article it will require few changes to the standard manufacturing process, so it should hit the market in 2-3 years. I can wait.:naughty:

Can you imagine recharging a Polarion battery in 3 minutes?

 

[Mr Happy]

Re: New Li-ion "charges in seconds"

Actually I already started this thread: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=225657

Perhaps the mods will merge this one into that one?

 

[dudemar]

Re: New Li-ion "charges in seconds"

Most likely, thanks for letting me know.:wave:

Mods, if you can merge this thread I would appreciate it.:thumbsup:

 

[wadus]

These new cells they've created also don't heat up when they're charged; so wouldn't that make them less dangerous as well? I guess they wouldn't need to be left on the charger for any substantial amount of time either, so no forgetting about them and

Also, they don't lose any capacity over time. Just buy as many cells as you need for your lights and you're set for life. :twothumbs

 

[Lighthearted1]

A new manufacturing method for lithium-ion batteries -

News story of interest... FYI

Smaller, lighter batteries that can be charged in just seconds.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7938001.stm

 

[Mr Happy]

The technology seems to be an incremental improvement on the existing A123 Systems technology that is already licensed from MIT.

As I understand it, the capacity of an A123 18650 cell is about 1100 mAh, whereas the capacity of a lithium cobalt cell of the same size can be up to 2500 mAh. Therefore in devices like laptops and cellphones where people really care about run time, the nanophosphate technology has a way to go to catch up.

Now faster charging sounds good, but to achieve fast charging you need more powerful chargers with higher charging currents -- making them bigger and more expensive. Is that what the market really cares about?

 

[Marduke]

Re: A new manufacturing method for lithium-ion batteries -

Try searching first, this is at least thread #3....

 

[LuxLuthor]

This application is mainly a way to address rapid charging for applications like electric cars, where perhaps there could be recharging service stations that get you back on the road pronto. A123 nano technology is not quite able to accomplish that in somewhat the same time of filling up your tank.

This is a long term application, as they would need to completely redo the electrical grid. Then there is that pesky problem where there is not enough Lithium available in the world to meet the need of widespread electric car (battery) demand. Bolivia is not the least bit interested in cooperating, and they have half the world's supply.

The RC guys already fast charge their A123's, so for other operations this is not a big development IMHO. The higher capacity remains with Lithium Cobalt, but that chemistry sucks at high amp output. So those two chemistries are analagous to the higher mAh capacity NiMH and the lower capacity Elite/Titanium high current output NiMH.

You can't use Lithium Cobalt in power tools, cars, RC motors, or higher amp drawing flashlights....so there is a place for LiFePO4 & Lithium Manganese.

 

[DM51]

Re: A new manufacturing method for lithium-ion batteries -

this is at least thread #3....

If it is, I haven't seen the other 2. Perhaps you could give links to them. Meanwhile, I'll move this one into the Batteries section.

Edit: Never mind, I found them. Merging all 3 now...

 

[Black Rose]

Re: A new manufacturing method for lithium-ion batteries -

If it is, I haven't seen the other 2. Perhaps you could give links to them. Meanwhile, I'll move this one into the Batteries section.

Edit: Never mind, I found them. Merging all 3 now...

Here's #4: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=225706

 

[Calina]

Re: A new manufacturing method for lithium-ion batteries -

I might as well put this link in this thread since it is related : http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/03/superbattery.html

 

[65535]

Re: A new manufacturing method for lithium-ion batteries -

Am I the only one that thinks that would make PCB traces useless and wires capable of handling the current too large to be used in small spaces. Just food for thought.

 

[VidPro]

Re: A new manufacturing method for lithium-ion batteries -

Am I the only one that thinks that would make PCB traces useless and wires capable of handling the current too large to be used in small spaces. Just food for thought.

i guess they figure you can just hook it straight up to the transformer on the pole for a second to charge it.

most of these pitri dish batteries are like 25-100ma, of course they can charge it in one zap.

Can you hear me now? :shrug:
http://www.philer.de/design3/electronics/hvmisc/3phase_arc.JPG oo:
is that better, there was a little static on the phone

 

[mr.snakeman]

Re: A new manufacturing method for lithium-ion batteries -

Read this: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/03/12/fast_charge_battery_bubble_stab/

 

[Calina]

Re: A new manufacturing method for lithium-ion batteries -

So once again: "Much ado about nothing" to cite our good friend William.

Some people at MIT seem to be as talented in P.R. and spin strategies as they are in science.