Nano One (NNO.V) came out with an update this morning with the big news being that NNO has initiated the design and construction of a pilot scale plant to demonstrate the scaled up production of a range of cathode materials for lithium ion batteries.
Vancouver, B.C. March 14, 2016: Nano One Materials Corp. (“Nano One”) is positioning its scalable processing technology for the low-cost production of assorted lithium ion battery cathode materials that are crucial to electric vehicle and grid storage markets. The patented technology can be configured for a wide range of materials and has the flexibility to shift with emerging and future battery market trends. In support of this, Nano One is pleased to provide a summary of an internal technology report on cathode materials and development activities related to the scale-up and pilot demonstration of its processing technology.
Lithium ion Cathode Materials
The electric vehicle (“EV”) market is driving the requirements for lithium ion battery cathode materials and has largely settled on variations of lithium mixed metal oxides, such as lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC). Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and similar phosphates are also found represented in technology roadmaps of the EV industry.
| A Summary of Cathode Materials | ||
| LCO1 | Lithium Cobalt Oxide | |
| NMC1111 | Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) | 33% Ni, 33% Mn, 33% Co |
| NMC5321 | Nickel Rich NMC | 50% Ni, 30% Mn, 20% Co |
| NMC8111 | Nickel Rich NMC | 80% Ni, 10% Mn, 10% Co |
| LFP1 | Lithium Iron Phosphate | |
| HE-NMC1 | High Energy or Lithium Manganese Rich NMC (also called LMR-NMC, OLO-NMC, or Layered-layered NMC) | 50% Mn 30% Ni 20% Co and other ratios |
| HV-LMNO1 | High Voltage Lithium Manganese Nickel Oxide (HV-Spinel) | 75% Mn, 25% Ni |
| NMC4422NMC6222 NCA2 |
Nickel Rich NMCNickel Rich NMC
Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminate |
40% Ni, 40% Mn, 20% Co60% Ni, 20% Mn, 20% Co
80% Ni, 18% Co, 2% Al |
| 1 materials being made by Nano One and 2 other materials that can be made by Nano One | ||
Nano One’s processing technology assembles metal atoms into geometric crystal structures, leaving one, two or three-dimensional atom sized spaces to house lithium ions during charge and discharge of the battery. As summarized in the table, Nano One has produced a wide range of cathode materials that are pivotal to the evolution of EV lithium ion batteries, such as NMC111, NMC532, NMC811, HE-NMC, HV-LMNO with the flexibility to make NMC 442, NMC622, NCA and others.
Increasingly, NMC111 materials are becoming industry’s cathode material of choice and Nano One’s NMC performs comparatively with capacities at or above 200 mAh/g (milliamp-hours per gram).
Industry is also considering nickel rich NMCs, HE-NMC and HV-LMNO cathode materials for the next generation of high energy batteries. Commercialization of these materials may require industry to adopt materials processing innovations in its efforts to optimize cost and performance. Nano One is positioning its processing technology to address these needs and has made nickel rich NMC and HE-NMC with stable capacity in the range of 240 mAh/g (milliamp-hours per gram). Furthermore, Nano One is encouraged with its preliminary work on HV-LMNO.
It is recognized that HV-LMNO has cobalt-free cost and supply chain advantages and is capable of delivering a 5V Li ion cell with good stability from charge to charge (capacity retention) and high capacity at high rates of discharge (rate capability). Initial results of Nano One’s HV-LMNO compare favourably when tested and normalized against commercial equivalents in lithium anode coin cells. Nano One’s HV-LMNO has up to 12x better capacity retention than commercial equivalents. Also, the rate capability is better for Nano One’s HV-LMNO when compared to commercial equivalents. For example, preliminary comparisons have shown that capacity drops by 0% versus 15-20% at 1C (1-hour discharge) and 20% versus 30-50% at 5C (12-minute discharge).
In the first of Nano One’s three processing stages, raw materials are combined at ambient temperatures and pressures to form a composite material with unique nanoscale features such as the “floral-like” structure shown in the scanning electron micrograph provided. There is a unique underlying arrangement of atoms that promotes faster firing to form a highly crystalline, free-flowing, battery-ready powder that requires no further milling or grinding. Nano One believes these enhancements can reduce complexity and cost associated with conventional manufacturing methods.
“I’m excited about the progress we have made” says Principal Scientist Dr. Stephen Campbell. “We have technologies and know-how that bring significant improvements to the process of making cathode materials, which positions Nano One well in the emerging lithium ion battery markets.”
With confidence that its technology can outperform established methods of production, Nano One has initiated the design and construction of a pilot scale plant to demonstrate the scaled up production of a range of cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. Please see related Demonstration Pilot Plant announcements made on February 25, 2016 and March 7, 2016.
Electron Micrograph (SEM) of Nano One’s NMC cathode material prior to calcination showing unique “floral-like morphology,” with nanoscale features.
NANO ONE MATERIALS CORP.
Dan Blondal, CEO
For information with respect to Nano One or the contents of this news release, please contact John Lando (President) at (604) 669-2701 or visit the website at www.nanoone.ca.
About Dr. Stephen Campbell
Dr. Campbell, PhD CSci CChem MRSC, has over 25 years leading industrial automotive research in electrochemical systems and has been issued 19 patents. He joined Nano One in September 2015 as Principal Scientist working with a multi-disciplinary technical team in developing strategies to control and tune the nanostructure and interfacial chemistries of cathode materials for optimal electrochemical performance and cost effective production. He also works closely with the executive team to accelerate business objectives, build on Nano One’s portfolio of intellectual property and identify commercial growth opportunities in energy storage with a focus on cathode materials suited to electric vehicle and other battery applications. Prior to his appointment at Nano One, Dr. Campbell served 7 years as Principal Scientist at Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation Corp. and also he held key roles at Ballard Power Systems as Principal Scientist and Senior Scientist between 1994 and 2008. Dr. Campbell received his PhD in Semiconductor Electrochemistry from University of Southampton in 1987 and between 1991 to 1993, he led a large research group focused on polymer electrolyte lithium battery materials at the University of St. Andrews.
About Nano One
Nano One Materials Corp is developing novel, scalable and low-cost processing technology for the production of high performance battery materials used in electric vehicles, energy storage and consumer electronics. The patented technology can be configured for a wide range nanostructured materials and has the flexibility to shift with battery market trends and a diverse range other growth opportunities. The novel three-stage process uses equipment common to industry and is being engineered for high volume production and rapid commercialization. Nano One’s mission is to establish its patented technology as a leading platform for the global production of a new generation of nanostructured composite materials. For more information, please visit nanoone.ca
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