Just to let everyone know.....I was recently appointed CTO of Faradion Limited. I will take on this role while also maintaining my independent energy storage consultancy (www.jerrybarker.co.uk). Should be a busy time!!
Faradion is a high-tech start-up company based in the UK which is engaged in the development of next generation energy storage devices. The Faradion HQ is located in Sheffield, Yorkshire. The company will target the consumer, automotive and utility markets. The technical objectives will not follow the well-trodden Li-ion path, but will be investigating new, non-lithium based battery opportunities.
Additional information about Faradion may be found at the company website:
Faradion Limited website
Exciting times lie ahead for the team.
Jerry
Sunday 20 November 2011
IBA - Technology Award 2012
Great News and a Big Surprise!!
The International Battery Materials Association (IBA) has decided to award me the Technology Award for 2012. Apparently the award is granted for "contributions made to identifying new secondary battery cathode materials and related materials research field, which has been recognized internationally".
Many thanks to the board of the IBA for the award ....which, as I say, was a complete surprise. The list of previous winners is extremely impressive, so I am more then happy to be included.
Jerry
The International Battery Materials Association (IBA) has decided to award me the Technology Award for 2012. Apparently the award is granted for "contributions made to identifying new secondary battery cathode materials and related materials research field, which has been recognized internationally".
Many thanks to the board of the IBA for the award ....which, as I say, was a complete surprise. The list of previous winners is extremely impressive, so I am more then happy to be included.
Jerry
Friday 15 April 2011
Phostech Lithium Inc. appeals LiFePO4 Carbothermal Reduction Decision
Further to the news below regarding the LiFePO4 carbothermal reduction litigation case involving Valence Technology Inc. and Phostech Lithium Inc., Phostech has decided to appeal the decision.
The latest Phostech press release may be found here:
Phostech Press Release
Based on this appeal, Phostech has resumed the production and sale of its P1 grade LiFePO4 material.
Jerry
The latest Phostech press release may be found here:
Phostech Press Release
Based on this appeal, Phostech has resumed the production and sale of its P1 grade LiFePO4 material.
Jerry
Sunday 20 February 2011
Valence Technology wins Carbothermal Reduction Patent Infringement Lawsuit
Valence Technology Inc. has won its Canadian patent infringement lawsuit (Tuesday February 17, 2011) regarding its proprietary carbothermal reduction technology (CTR), which Valences uses to make lithium iron (magnesium) phosphate as well as other lithium-based active materials for Li-ion batteries. The Canadian patent in question is number 2,395,115. The link to this patent may be found here:
Canadian Patent 2,395,115 (Inventors: J. Barker et al.)
The lawsuit was filed against Phostech Lithium Inc. and the judgment entitles Valence to an injunction, an election of either an accounting of profits or damages, reasonable compensation and costs. The Valence press release for this announcement may be found here:
Valence Technology Victorious in Patent Infringement Lawsuit
The CTR invention was invented and developed by Jerry Barker and co-workers as the most economical process for the manufacturing of lithium metal phosphates for battery applications. Valence has been using this technology for several years to make its lithium iron magnesium phosphate material.
Interestingly, the Phostech PR team have been working overtime to put the best spin on the announcement:
Phostech Lithium Inc. Press Release
In summary, however this judgement must be seen as a serious blow to both Phostech Lithium and its parent company, Sud-Chemie. More information on the judgement from the website, Green Car Congress, may be found here:
Green Car Congress: Valence wins Patent Infringement Lawsuit
Jerry
Canadian Patent 2,395,115 (Inventors: J. Barker et al.)
The lawsuit was filed against Phostech Lithium Inc. and the judgment entitles Valence to an injunction, an election of either an accounting of profits or damages, reasonable compensation and costs. The Valence press release for this announcement may be found here:
Valence Technology Victorious in Patent Infringement Lawsuit
The CTR invention was invented and developed by Jerry Barker and co-workers as the most economical process for the manufacturing of lithium metal phosphates for battery applications. Valence has been using this technology for several years to make its lithium iron magnesium phosphate material.
Interestingly, the Phostech PR team have been working overtime to put the best spin on the announcement:
Phostech Lithium Inc. Press Release
In summary, however this judgement must be seen as a serious blow to both Phostech Lithium and its parent company, Sud-Chemie. More information on the judgement from the website, Green Car Congress, may be found here:
Green Car Congress: Valence wins Patent Infringement Lawsuit
Jerry
Thursday 13 January 2011
Vanadium-based Li-ion Batteries
If you spend any significant amount of time reviewing the scientific literature concerning new active materials for Li-ion batteries, you quickly notice something rather interesting…..the number of vanadium containing phases appears extremely high. Was is this? Why is vanadium such a useful transition metal in these materials? Here is my short summary:
1. Atomic Mass. Vanadium is a first row transition metal, meaning that it has relatively low atomic mass (50.94). It follows that, all things being equal, active materials containing V should have relatively low formula mass, resulting in a high theoretical specific capacity (mAh/g).
2. Voltage Range. The operating voltage of vanadium-containing phases is typically in the range 3.0 -4.5 V vs. lithium. Why is this voltage range so important? For at least three good reasons: (i) the higher the operating voltage the higher the specific energy, Wh/kg (which is the product of the specific capacity and the operating voltage). High Specfic Energy is what us battery scientists are striving to achieve; (ii) If the operating voltage is too low (typically < 3.0 V vs. Li) the active material will be air/moisture sensitive, which creates problems during cell manufacture; (iii) Above 4.5 V and we run into stability issues with the electrolyte. Simply stated, the operating voltage is just too oxidative for most common, non-aqueous electrolyte solvents.
3. Multiple Oxidation States. Vanadium has 5 stable oxidation states: 0 (metal), +2, +3, +4 and +5. Why is this important? It means that in active materials containing one vanadium ion we have the possibility of reversibly cycling more than 1 lithium (or sodium) ion per formula unit. This means we can expect very high specific capacities. With most other transition metals this is not the case.
4. Energy Levels. The energy levels of the common vanadium oxidation states, viz. +3, +4 and +5, are quite close. This means that while accessing these oxidation states during the charge and discharge of a Li-ion cell there are not large steps (fluctuation) in the operating voltage. Why is this important? Well battery designers are not too keen on voltage excursions or steps during the normal operation of the Li-ion cell since this causes major complications in the control electronics.
5. Inexpensive. Compared to many other transition metals, vanadium is actually relatively cheap and abundant. It is not as inexpensive as Fe and Mn, but it is significantly cheaper than either Co or Ni. Vanadium is currently mined in Australia, China, South Africa and Russia. New mines are coming on stream all the time – typically to satisfy the growing demand in the steel industry – but this also means there should be plenty for the battery market.
6. Polyanions. Vanadium is particularly suitable for incorporation into polyanion phases (sulfates, phosphates etc). Polyanion phases are expected to become the next generation of Li-ion active materials offering high specific energy, excellent safety performance and good cycling stability.
7. Redox Batteries. Vanadium finds application in Vanadium Redox flow Batteries (VRB), which also take advantage of the multiple V oxidation states.
So there are many reasons to think positively about the future of vanadium in Li-ion (or Na-ion) battery applications. I have worked on a number of these materials myself……for example, Li3V2(PO4)3, LiVPO4F, LiVOPO4, LiVP2O7, Na3V2(PO4)2F, LiV2O5 etc.
In my opinion, the (battery) future looks bright….the future looks like Vanadium.
Jerry
1. Atomic Mass. Vanadium is a first row transition metal, meaning that it has relatively low atomic mass (50.94). It follows that, all things being equal, active materials containing V should have relatively low formula mass, resulting in a high theoretical specific capacity (mAh/g).
2. Voltage Range. The operating voltage of vanadium-containing phases is typically in the range 3.0 -4.5 V vs. lithium. Why is this voltage range so important? For at least three good reasons: (i) the higher the operating voltage the higher the specific energy, Wh/kg (which is the product of the specific capacity and the operating voltage). High Specfic Energy is what us battery scientists are striving to achieve; (ii) If the operating voltage is too low (typically < 3.0 V vs. Li) the active material will be air/moisture sensitive, which creates problems during cell manufacture; (iii) Above 4.5 V and we run into stability issues with the electrolyte. Simply stated, the operating voltage is just too oxidative for most common, non-aqueous electrolyte solvents.
3. Multiple Oxidation States. Vanadium has 5 stable oxidation states: 0 (metal), +2, +3, +4 and +5. Why is this important? It means that in active materials containing one vanadium ion we have the possibility of reversibly cycling more than 1 lithium (or sodium) ion per formula unit. This means we can expect very high specific capacities. With most other transition metals this is not the case.
4. Energy Levels. The energy levels of the common vanadium oxidation states, viz. +3, +4 and +5, are quite close. This means that while accessing these oxidation states during the charge and discharge of a Li-ion cell there are not large steps (fluctuation) in the operating voltage. Why is this important? Well battery designers are not too keen on voltage excursions or steps during the normal operation of the Li-ion cell since this causes major complications in the control electronics.
5. Inexpensive. Compared to many other transition metals, vanadium is actually relatively cheap and abundant. It is not as inexpensive as Fe and Mn, but it is significantly cheaper than either Co or Ni. Vanadium is currently mined in Australia, China, South Africa and Russia. New mines are coming on stream all the time – typically to satisfy the growing demand in the steel industry – but this also means there should be plenty for the battery market.
6. Polyanions. Vanadium is particularly suitable for incorporation into polyanion phases (sulfates, phosphates etc). Polyanion phases are expected to become the next generation of Li-ion active materials offering high specific energy, excellent safety performance and good cycling stability.
7. Redox Batteries. Vanadium finds application in Vanadium Redox flow Batteries (VRB), which also take advantage of the multiple V oxidation states.
So there are many reasons to think positively about the future of vanadium in Li-ion (or Na-ion) battery applications. I have worked on a number of these materials myself……for example, Li3V2(PO4)3, LiVPO4F, LiVOPO4, LiVP2O7, Na3V2(PO4)2F, LiV2O5 etc.
In my opinion, the (battery) future looks bright….the future looks like Vanadium.
Jerry
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