Tokyo, October 4, 2017
Toshiba Corporation, a renowned producer of lithium-ion batteries have announced the development of its next-generation of the SCiB batteries which uses an anode made of a completely new material. This battery will have an anode with increased capacity according to Toshiba.
Toshiba originally launched the SCiB lithium ion batteries in 2008. The current SCiB batteries use a lithium titanium oxide anode and is popular in the automotive and industrial sector due to its rapid charging, high energy density, and long life. The batteries were also instrumental in promoting the use of electric vehicles.
However, the new SCiB batteries, which will also offer high energy density, will give a compact EV a drive range of 320 km after only six minutes of ultra-rapid charging. This is three times what is offered by current lithium-ion batteries.
The titanium niobium oxide anodes can double the lithium storage capacity by volume, as compared to graphite based anodes that are generally used in lithium-ion batteries. Toshiba has realised this feature by developing a proprietary method for synthesising and disarranging titanium niobium oxide crystals and storing lithium ions more efficiently in the crystal structure. Another benefit of using titanium niobium oxide is that it is less likely to experience lithium metal deposition which can be a cause for battery degradation or internal short-circuiting.
“We are very excited by the potential of the new titanium niobium oxide anode and the next-generation SCiB. Rather than an incremental improvement, this is a game changing advance that will make a significant difference to the range and performance of EV.” said Dr. Osamu Hori, Director of Corporate Research and Development Centre, Toshiba Corporation.
The company aims to keep improving the performance of the batteries and put it into practical application by 2019.
Currently, testing and research of the next-generation 50 Ah prototypes show that the batteries retain their long life cycle (90 oer cent of the initial capacity is maintained after 5,000 charge/discharge cycles), excellent safety, and ultra-rapid recharging can be done in sub-zero temperatures as well.
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