LiNaMan Project Working on Next Generation EV Batteries
16 Jan 2019
The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) is part of a collaboration aiming to accelerate the introduction of next generation automotive batteries.
Working alongside LiNa Energy and Lancaster University, CPI is supporting the development of a robust, low-cost and high performance energy storage battery to replace existing lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries.
The project, known as LiNaMan, will demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of sodium nickel chloride (Na-Ni-CI) batteries as a new disruptive technology in the UK and European electric vehicle sector.
![The LiNaMan project will demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of sodium nickel chloride batteries as a new disruptive technology in the UK and European electric vehicle sector The LiNaMan project will demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of sodium nickel chloride batteries as a new disruptive technology in the UK and European electric vehicle sector](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-vehicle-charging-point-close-up.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224068&s=d05823eb38ff5c9e67eee20d3aa579df 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-vehicle-charging-point-close-up.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224068&s=2b44aa27758f2dac29ee5987e48e2127 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-vehicle-charging-point-close-up.jpg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224068&s=526b4b91b46f55e8dc18d39bd0a47767 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-vehicle-charging-point-close-up.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224068&s=853ba6138b1952978b65d8c144f304eb 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-vehicle-charging-point-close-up.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224068&s=8e241a27218bade2ccd977df5b9f2ea6 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-vehicle-charging-point-close-up.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224068&s=265280cad58b3c015477d27b5f87b320 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-vehicle-charging-point-close-up.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224068&s=7821856f9a9d8a43c0bdd2cb841bb3f7 960w)
The collaboration will also highlight the benefits of Na-Ni-Cl batteries against Li-ion alternatives, in particular their highly recyclable and relatively cheap components of steel, nickel, iron, salt and ceramic, and display their capacity to operate across a much wider operating temperature range.
LiNa Energy is founded upon a patented novel sodium metal chloride planar cell, which unlocks the high power and energy density potential of established sodium battery chemistry while offering vastly improved safety and reduced product complexity.
The collaboration will take LiNa’s concept and apply the latest material engineering to design, develop, manufacture and test the first-ever LiNa cell.
Process development and process economics of LiNa’s single cell will take place at CPI’s state-of-the-art formulation facility, which is based in NETPark, Sedgefield, County Durham.
CPI will work alongside Lancaster University and LiNa Energy, providing cutting-edge equipment and its wide range of industrial experience to the project, which will include utilising its long-held expertise in fuel cell technology and its roll-to-roll printable electronics capability.
![Process development and process economics of LiNa’s single cell will take place at CPI’s state-of-the-art formulation facility, pictured above Process development and process economics of LiNa’s single cell will take place at CPI’s state-of-the-art formulation facility, pictured above](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/coxon-formulation-centre.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218655&s=d87a0cae85a32268c6995df080f85a13 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/coxon-formulation-centre.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218655&s=40cbb71a9ea6a60b3bc5312669c16449 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/coxon-formulation-centre.jpg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218655&s=062ddefa52b71f9478f69a4f49d30377 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/coxon-formulation-centre.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218655&s=81e8cb267d02da5c1905c25c644c014a 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/coxon-formulation-centre.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218655&s=a3df2ebb3ed1377eeaa732139a52afb2 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/coxon-formulation-centre.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218655&s=c5e96ecf8a5b5d55c2bb1805f0c8d8e5 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/coxon-formulation-centre.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559218655&s=cce5067f0f447fd63531687984a43dda 960w)
Dr Graeme Cruickshank, Director of Formulation at CPI, said: “By using our state-of-the-art formulation capabilities, we are able to apply our expertise from other advanced coatings and re-apply into this exciting area to create products for our greener tomorrow.
“It is very much an interesting and exciting time to be part of this industrial revolution.”
Dr Gene Lewis, LiNa Energy Managing Director, said: “Project LiNaMan will advance our sodium battery technology and demonstrate the enormous potential of sodium batteries to decarbonise automotive transport and provide efficient and effective energy storage solutions.
“LiNa believes this is the ideal consortium to deliver the project’s ambitious technical objectives and to demonstrate the tremendous advantages of sodium battery solutions over current industry-standard technologies.”
![The collaboration will highlight the benefits of sodium nickel chloride batteries against Li-ion alternatives, in particular their highly recyclable and relatively cheap components of steel, nickel, iron, salt and ceramic, and display their capacity to operate across a much wider operating temperature range The collaboration will highlight the benefits of sodium nickel chloride batteries against Li-ion alternatives, in particular their highly recyclable and relatively cheap components of steel, nickel, iron, salt and ceramic, and display their capacity to operate across a much wider operating temperature range](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-vehicle-charging-point-close-up-ii.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224092&s=3f32787f5b7df234922ce77786814f2a 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-vehicle-charging-point-close-up-ii.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224092&s=caf5b6558aa8c9539718fc001b2bc3b4 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-vehicle-charging-point-close-up-ii.jpg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224092&s=17af40a7789d57e0141e2d51a17b4845 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-vehicle-charging-point-close-up-ii.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224092&s=18bfcff2b24f5b6f9a6392a9ab76841e 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-vehicle-charging-point-close-up-ii.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224092&s=64f5e286d023bd49b2f6f19d98efa5a6 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-vehicle-charging-point-close-up-ii.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224092&s=3ad0073860fd8772f176b27351fc62e9 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-vehicle-charging-point-close-up-ii.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224092&s=85d25deec64f4fc481ea8784e16eb820 960w)
Dr Richard Dawson, Senior Engineering Lecturer at Lancaster University, said: “We are proud to have been part of LiNa’s development programme from its inception.
“A new sodium battery has the potential to be a truly disruptive technology that plays a significant role in decarbonising road transport in Europe and abroad, and an important driver of jobs growth and wealth creation in the North-West.”
The project will complement existing Faraday Challenge projects by adding a strand currently missing from the portfolio and supporting the UK in a fresh sodium technology ideally suited to automotive applications.
The Faraday Challenge is an integral aspect of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.
Seeking to lower carbon emissions and tackle air pollution, the fund supports research and innovation around the development of new battery technologies for future vehicles to create a stronger UK materials supply chain.
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