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To demonstrate what one can do with Avogadro One, we are publishing this weekly digest of developments in the battery space. Avogadro One allows capturing relevant news easily and quickly, saving you valuable time. If you want to know when you can use Avogadro One for your own research, please sign up to our mailing list here. We would also be happy to hear any feedback.
This is a very basic review of last week's events relevant to the battery and fuel cell industries. We do not pretend to be experts in this space but as investors we find such an overview helpful. The digest is intentionally very brief and dry and is intended as a demonstration rather as an end product. We'd love to hear what tools/software/platforms you use to stay abreast of the events in your industries of interest. Please answer our questionnaire.
Issue 1
10-16 December 2018
14,000 electric buses for California
TechCrunch reports that California has adopted a mandate to fully transition to electric buses by 2040. To reach this goal, California will begin buying only electric buses beginning in 2029. This should translate into about 14,000 new vehicles, which means a lot of batteries and/or fuel cells.
Impact areas: Public transit, Infrastructure, Electric vehicles
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/15/california-says-all-city-buses-have-to-be-emission-free-by-2040
New fuel cell catalyst could reduce platinum usage by 75%
Researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory have developed new platinum catalyst for fuel cells. By maximizing its efficiency, the scientists were able to reduce the platinum content to a quarter of what is required in traditional catalysts. The new catalyst also proved to be durable.
Impact areas: Fuel cell supply chains and costs
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181213141537.htm
Thermodynamics explains deterioration in batteries
A research paper submitted on arXiv by Yanhao Dong describes "in simple thermodynamic terms" the destructive processes in solid oxide fuel cells, solid oxide electrolyzer cells, and lithium ion batteries. The authors suggest “definite rules dictating the occurrence and absence of such phenomena […] to help predict and mitigate” poor efficiency and premature failure.
Impact areas: battery and fuel cell longevity and efficiency
Source: https://arxiv.org/abs/1812.05187
Nanocomposite electrode material for Li-Ion batteries
Scientists from the University of Vienna have designed a new nanocomposite electrode material based on a mixed metal oxide and graphene. In lab tests, the electrode showed good performance at over 3,000 charge/discharge cycles, which compares favorably against the industry standard of about 1,000 cycles.
Impact areas: Li-Ion battery longevity
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181213101305.htm
Quantum versus classical many-body batteries
A research paper submitted by Gian Marcello Andolina on arXiv discusses fast charging in quantum batteries.
Impact areas: Quantum batteries
Source: https://arxiv.org/abs/1812.04669
A study of niobium oxide’s electronic properties
Can P. Koçer submitted a research paper to arXiv, in which his team studies the experimentally observed electrical and magnetic properties of niobium suboxides. This research may be of use in the Li-Ion battery industry and research.
Impact areas: Li-Ion batteries
Source: https://arxiv.org/abs/1812.04632
Cobalt is younger than we thought
Geologists from the University of Alberta have discovered that cobalt deposits in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) formed about 150 million years later than previously thought. DRC is a major cobalt producer but is far from being the most ethical source of the metal. The new research provides information that could help find new exploration targets around the world. Given cobalt's importance for Li-Ion batteries and its expected shortage due to the rise of electric vehicles, this is welcome news.
Impact areas: Li-Ion battery supply chains and costs
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181212134424.htm
Study of solid electrolyte interphase in Li-Ion batteries
In a research paper submitted by Fabian Single to arXiv, his team studies solid electrolyte interphase as a “major reason for capacity fade in modern lithium-ion batteries.” The researchers conclude that Li-interstitial diffusion is the culprit. This study may be of use in designing longer-lasting Li-Ion batteries.
Impact areas: Li-Ion battery longevity
Source: https://arxiv.org/abs/1812.03841
Daimler on a battery shopping binge
TechCrunch reports that Daimler will buy $22.8 billion worth of Li-Ion battery cells by 2030 for its electric vehicles.
Impact areas: Li-Ion battery supply chains