Mar 19 2009
3M has entered into strategic relationship and an agreement with Amperex Technologies Ltd. (ATL) that will expand the use of Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) cathode materials in lithium ion batteries.
3M will become a strategic supplier of NMC cathode materials to ATL and will work jointly with ATL to develop new cathode, anode and electrolyte materials for the fast-growing lithium-ion battery industry. Lithium-ion batteries are used in handheld consumer electronics devices and in automobiles. Under the agreement, 3M granted ATL a license to 3M intellectual property for the use of 3M NMC cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries.
3M battery cathodes are mixed metal layered oxides composed of Nickel, Manganese, and Cobalt. They use up to six times less cobalt for reduced price volatility and can be easily substituted for the industry standard Lithium Cobalt Oxide. “We are very pleased to be working with 3M. Using more of the 3M products, technology and patent portfolio in ATL batteries will enable ATL to provide batteries with higher capacity, longer life and even higher performance,” said Dr. Anthony Wong, Vice President of Global Business Development at ATL.
“Working with ATL is a great opportunity for 3M to apply its advanced materials in next-generation lithium-ion batteries for higher capacity and improved thermal stability, important attributes for electronics and transportation,” Chris Milker, Business Manager, 3M Electronics Markets Materials Division said.
3M currently offers three cathode products: BC-618, BC-718 and BC-723. 3M has developed these proprietary cathode powder formulations with precise control of structure and compositions tailored for both energy and power applications to serve the consumer electronics and automobile industries. Patents on the 3M composition have been issued in China, Taiwan and USA. Applications are pending in EP, Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan. 3M battery materials product and technology portfolio includes cathode powders, anode powders, specialty electrolyte salt/additives, and heat transfer fluids.