Battery Power - May/June 2012 - (Page 30)

research & develoPmeNt Dalhousie University Research Driving the Cars of the Future Ryan McNutt Dalhousie University been doing over the last three years that shows it is possible in a three-week timeframe, with the right measurements, to make statements about about battery lifetime,” said Dr. Dahn, the NSERC-3M Canada Industrial Research Chair in Materials for Advanced Batteries. We may not have those fantastical flying vehicles we were promised in science fiction, but the technology that will drive the cars of the future is being developed at Dalhousie (Dal). This week, the Automobile Partnership Canada (APC) initia- Lighter Vehicles, Better Fuel Economy tive announced funding for two major research projects at Dal, The other project involves Dr. Corbin’s research into makeach seeking to develop materials that will make tomorrow’s ing Titanium (Ti) more cost-effective for vehicle use. It’s as vehicles more efficient, effective and environmentally-friendly. strong as many steels, but 45 percent lighter, The first, led by Jeff meaning that using it for exhaust systems, Dahn in the Departengine valves and other automotive parts ment of Physics and can reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel Atmospheric Scieconomy. The challenge, though, is producence, is receiving $4.1 ing it cheaply. million to advance A team of researchers from Dalhousie, the performance of Queen’s and the University of Waterloo, in lithium-ion batteries, partnership with two Ontario companies, the sort in your cell Wescast Industries of Brantford and Kingsphone or iPod, so they ton Process Metallurgy (KPM), will develop can be effectively used made-in-Canada technologies capable of in vehicles as well as producing Ti parts at a reduced cost. medical devices and “It’s a very exciting venture because now energy grid storage. parts for exhausts and engines will last the Jeff Dahn (right) at work in his lab. (Danny Abriel photo) The second, led by lifetime of a car,” said Dr. Stephen Corbin of the Corbin. “This will allow Faculty of Engineering, has been granted $2.2 manufacturers to produce million to develop less expensive titanium a more sustainable prodparts for vehicles and, in the process, reducing uct, material waste is less, vehicle weight and improving fuel economy. and cars will have better fuel economy because they A Better Battery will carry less weight.” Dr. Dahn is one of the world’s foremost exThe Automobile Partperts in lithium-ion batteries. The challenge in nership Canada (APC) adapting the technology for vehicles, though, initiative is a five-year is that the standards are much more stringent $145 million federal inithan in portable electronics: they must last for tiative launched in 2009 10 years, sustain over 3,000 charge/discharge that supports collaborative Stephen Corbin. (Nick Pearce photo) cycles and withstand extreme temperatures. research and development Other industries looking to increase the use activities of benefit to the of lithium-ion batteries, such as grid energy storage and medical entire Canadian automotive industry. Its projects are driven by devices, have similar standards. That’s why Dr. Dahn’s project industry needs and must have active industrial participation involves cross-sector collaboration with several industry partand collaboration. ners: 3M, Manga, Medtronic, GM and NS Power. The Dal projects will be supported by the Natural Sciences The funding will add a suite of advanced diagnostic equipand Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the ment to Dal’s existing battery R&D capacity, including the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the National world’s first Ultra High Precision Battery Charger capable of Research Council of Canada (NRC). In addition, the Nova measuring the difference between the charge stored and delivScotia Research and Innovation Trust (NSRIT) will be providing ered by lithium-ion batteries of any size to a precision of 10 $1,825,526 funding for Dr. Dahn’s project. parts per million. This sort of accuracy will lead the way to batteries that last not years, but decades. “The equipment we’re putting in place builds on work we’ve 30 Battery Power • May/June 2012 www.BatteryPowerOnline.com http://www.BatteryPowerOnline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Battery Power - May/June 2012

Battery Power - May/June 2012
New Battery Interface Specification to Address Key Consumer and Manufacturers’ Issues
Demand Spike for Backup Power Systems Stokes Growth in the Global Stationary Lead Acid Battery Market
Battery Management Considerations for Large Cell Count Systems
Flywheel Energy Storage – A UPS Battery’s Best Friend
Zero-Volt: Medical and Satellite Battery Technology Can Help Improve Safety of Electric Vehicles
Second Edition of IEC 62133: The Standard for Secondary Cells and Batteries Containing Alkaline or Other Non-Acid Electrolytes is in its Final Review Cycle
Batteries
ICs and Semiconductors
Charging & Testing
Components
Power Supplies
Industry News
Marketplace
Calendar of Events
Research and Development

Battery Power - May/June 2012