Electric mobility batteries in the rejuvenating the battery of The electric cars in the future will be more efficient, faster charging and also cost-effective. Because in the cells of the Lithium-ion batteries, new materials are used. Frank Zauri8 Kommentare8

Professor Andreas Hintennach believes in the future of the Lithium-ion batteries. Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Andreas Hintennach is a Professor, doctor of chemistry and medicine. Since 2011, he is at Mercedes-Benz in the field of battery research. This time he describes this way: “in the past, I looked at the battery cells, today I have the entire car in view. It’s always about creating the best overall package.” Accordingly, the view of his group is: “My Team and I are the interface between pre-development and development. We are responsible for the knowledge management, to share our Knowledge and make it available throughout the company.”

The initial 35-year-old battery expert is convinced that the Lithium-ion battery has a lot of potential for development. Although the cell structure is always similar, no matter whether in the Smartphone or in the EV-battery, there are always two metal foils, for example copper and aluminum. In between the poles, between which the electrical reaction with the cathode and the Anode. In addition, it takes a reactive metal such as Lithium. On the cost side, it is mainly the composition of the cathode, the ready-to-Worry, says Hintennach. “It is still made of a mixture of Nickel, manganese and cobalt. For the Anode graphite, Lithium, electrolyte and a Separator are needed.”

Much potential for optimization

of Course, white Hintennach exactly which points of the car battery needs to be improved in the next years. In the optimization of the energy density, which then leads directly to an enlarged range, he is expecting new materials, such as some silicon, that could replace on the anode side, graphite. As a result, the use of the cathode would not allows materials that are compatible with the today, used graphite. Furthermore, silicon allows to increase the load speed – what is in the EV-everyday is of Central importance.

to reduce battery developers are working continuously with the Cobalt content in the active material. According to Hintennach this proportion could be reduced in the recent past of about one-third to less than 20 percent. As the goal of a complete renunciation of the raw material, cobalt, is from a political, ecological and technical point of view, problematic to apply. Ecologically less questionable manganese, which in the future might be in larger admixtures used.

As a Lithium-ion cell is constructed.Graphics: Mercedes-Benz

Until 2039 Mercedes wants to achieve in the production of large CO2 savings. This also includes recycling programs to serve, so that in the manufacture of the batteries, the raw materials used in production is recycled. A market for secondary raw materials do not need to build up, however, because electric cars are still a long way in a larger number in operation. “In eight to ten years there will be a significant number of vehicle batteries for Recycling. Then, above all, cobalt, Nickel, copper, and, later, the silicon will be returned,” says Hintennach. And adds: “Ultimately, electric mobility is only really sustainable if the raw materials under sustainable conditions to be reduced.”

New technologies

of Course, the question is, how is it after the Lithium-ion Era will go on. As an Alternative, the Daimler-expert looks, for example, the Lithium-sulfur battery. Sulphur is a waste product of the industry, the cost is almost nothing, very clean and well recycled leave, he explains. Although major challenges for the energy to cope with density, but this technology is on the way to an unbeatable life cycle assessment. To you is for passenger cars available, it is likely to take around ten years. Even further in the future – according to an estimate by Hintennachs around 15 years – is the series production of Lithium-air systems. Without the Lithium, it could go with the Magnesium-sulfur battery. Magnesium is well-known from the everyday life in the Form of lime. The light metal is almost as available. However, the research at the Moment is still at the laboratory level.

Also, several years of the series production of the solid battery, the Mercedes is removed-Benz begins from the middle of this year on a trial basis in the city bus eCitaro. “This battery has a very long life, and contains neither cobalt nor Nickel or manganese. However, it is less energy dense and, therefore, relatively large and also not quick to recharge”, there Hintennach to bear in mind. Therefore, you would be for commercial vehicles used for passenger cars, but still inappropriate. This is unfortunately also true for graph-based, metal-free battery systems with water-based electrolyte. “You’re still miles away”, so Hintennach.

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