IDTechEx 2019 presented new innovations, solutions, questions and most importantly ideas. These ideas spanned from printable electronics to IoT solutions, but it was the Energy Storage, and Advanced Materials battery technology for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and consumer electronics, that showed the most prowess. Here are a few things that our CEO, Michael Kraft, learned about battery innovation at IDTechEx this year: We’re hitting power density limits for lithium-ion batteries Lithium-ion (Li Ion) batteries are everywhere, and on the surface, it seems like they’re changing dramatically to accommodate the demands of EVs. In reality, since its market introduction in 1991, the chemistry of the Li Ion battery has seen very little change. Despite new battery options being presented to the market, we’ve hit the power density limit of the original design of the Li Ion solution which is around 200 Wh/kg. Several presentations at IDTechEx highlighted the creation of Gen 2.0. 3.0, & 4.0 Li Ion batteries for both EV and consumer products, each of which would be capable of reaching >400 Wh/kg in power density and would incorporate a silicon (Si) anode. Big vehicle manufacturers like Ford, GM, and BMW are seeking out and establishing joint ventures with companies who show promise in creating Si Anode Li Ion advanced battery solutions – driving further development and interest in solutions that can further advance energy storage.  Li Ion 2.0 batteries have improved power density upwards of 30-40% yet they have not leveraged the Si Anode’s full potential to improve power density.  Coretec’s CHS is an enabling material to take advantage of a Si Anode’s potential of up to 10x today’s Li Ion batteries, and we are confident that Gen 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 Li Ion designs will incorporate new silicon precursors like CHS for these efficiency and power density benefits. Innovation in Fast(er!) charging The industry is also well-aware that all existing methods of fast charging for current generation Li Ion batteries are not acceptable. Take EV batteries for example, to spur mass adoption of EVs, drivers will require the same convenience as traditional petroleum fueling and will not want to wait hours to fully charge their batteries. Si anodes are once again the answer simply because you can get up to 10x more Li⁺ions into a Si Anode versus a carbon anode. The result is a Si Anode Li Ion battery in an EV that can charge in 5-10 minutes, and consumer electronics would charge in 5-10x less time. Silicon could solve the power density dilemma and meet fast charging requirements by achieving the holy grail of battery development – a 100% Si Anode. Coretec is developing IP and manufacturing methods with our customers for leveraging the advantages of CHS and we believe CHS will play a large role in creating the next generation Li Ion battery that will enhance the consumer experience with both EVs and consumer technologies. To learn more about how Coretec’s CHS solution can enhance Lithium-ion battery technology for the EV market, please see our tear sheet here or contact us at 918-494-0509