3M Invests in Novel Silicon Anode for Lithium Ion Batteries
March 15 2012 - 10:00AM
Business Wire
3M, the leading United States (US) battery materials supplier,
is investing in research and manufacturing of novel Silicon (Si)
based 3M anode materials. The technology enables advanced batteries
for reliable power that is required to keep up with the global
increase of mobile societies and electric vehicles.
3M was recently granted another U.S. patent, 8,071,238 for its
Silicon anode compositions that can increase cell capacity by over
40 percent when matched with high-energy battery cathodes. The
company has invested resources and expertise toward
commercialization of battery technology for the past 15 years.
3M’s investments into the high-energy metal based anode for
lithium ion batteries include matching a recent U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) grant for $4.6 million as part of efforts to build
more energy-efficient vehicles. The research will help to develop
and integrate new cell materials that will make a transformative
change in energy density and in cost in lithium ion batteries used
in electric vehicles. Especially critical to the project success is
3M’s Si based anode material. The 3M investment in research and
development includes putting in 3M’s best battery materials
technology for cathode, anode and battery electrolyte additives
into the project.
“3M has a proven track record of being an innovator in battery
materials, and we are committed to supporting the growing U.S. and
global lithium ion battery industry,” said Chris Milker, business
development manager for 3M Electronic Markets Materials Division.
“Our investment into research and development, coupled with our
experience and portfolio of more than 40 core technologies –
including nanotechnology, adhesives, precision coating,
fluoromaterials – give us the tools and confidence in our ability
to develop next-generation materials for better cells.”
The new research efforts deepen 3M’s rich history of
sustainability and in making a global impact through innovation.
The research expands upon the company’s long-standing initiatives
in the battery market to commercialize battery technology for
electric vehicles and consumer electronics.
In addition to its investment in robust research and
development, 3M recently completed the first phase of Silicon anode
manufacturing capacity expansion in early 2012 in its Cottage
Grove, Minn., facility. The expansion included the installation of
large-scale manufacturing equipment specialized to 3M and its
proprietary anode chemistry. The U.S.-based facility will provide
Si anode material to 3M’s global battery customers.
3M is well ahead of its time in pioneering research for lithium
ion battery materials, which began in the 1990s for early auto
market applications. Lithium ion batteries are a common source of
power for laptop computers and electronic handheld devices and
emerged as a power source for battery powered hand tools. In
addition, 3M lithium ion technology is emerging for transport
applications including the hybrid vehicles market. Because of the
company’s consistent investment into the industry, 3M has uniquely
developed three critical battery materials used in lithium ion
batteries. These include silicon anode chemistry, novel cathode
technologies (nickel, manganese, cobalt) and electrolyte (salts and
additives).
Besides battery cathode, anode and electrolyte technologies, 3M
also offers tapes and adhesives for assembly of consumer
electronics and fluids to manage heat during the manufacture of
electronic devices. Using its broad portfolio of battery materials,
3M has the unique capability to integrate these materials to solve
customers’ battery problems.
For more information about 3M battery materials visit
www.3m.com/batterymaterials
About 3M3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms
them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative
collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful
technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation company
that never stops inventing. With $30 billion in sales, 3M employs
84,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65
countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews
on Twitter.
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