Addionics is an Israeli startup in the rechargeable business. It is recently engaging in redesigning the battery architecture with respect to its electrode technology. The company wants to replace the regular 2-D electrode layer structure in traditional batteries. They want to integrate a 3-D electrode structure. They claim this will provide greater power and energy density, while also extending the life of the battery.
Addionics has five commercial projects lined up. They are presently targeting automotive applications with leading suppliers. The aim of each of these projects is to focus on different battery chemistries and integrate them with the smart 3-D electrode structure. The chemistries they are targeting are solid-state batteries, lithium polymer batteries, silicon anode batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries, and lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide batteries.
With the global economy striving towards electrification due to rising greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, the need for replacing renewable energy use, energy storage, and EV adoption is increasing. However, this can succeed only if there are batteries available that are more efficient, safe, and cost-effective.
Scientists all over are devoting huge efforts and expenditures to developing the next generation of batteries. They typically focus on battery chemistry, new chemicals, and unique chemical formulations. This includes lithium-metal and lithium-sulfur.
They are also trying to make current batteries either store more energy or charge/discharge at a faster rate. However, current batteries available in the marketplace today do not have the capacity to deliver both quick charging and extended range for EV applications.
There is also a challenging mismatch between the anode and cathode in current batteries. Addionics is striving to improve battery performance with their technology. They claim their 3-D electrode technology will improve battery performance irrespective of battery chemistry, and do so without increasing the battery price.
Although solid-state batteries hold plenty of promises, their major problem is the mismatch in the anode and cathode capacity. The new technology from Addionics has the advantage of not only solving the electrode mismatch but also providing a solid-state battery with higher energy and more stable performance.
Traditionally, battery electrodes are a 2-dimensional structure, made of dense metal foils with the active material as a layer on the top. However, this 30-year-old design is no longer able to meet the growing demands of performance.
The new 3-D electrode structure lowers the internal resistance of the battery, even at higher loads, as it has the active material integrated throughout the electrode. This increases the active surface area of the battery cell architecture and improves the properties of the electrodes, leading to lower heat generation, less material expansion, improved conductivity, and enhanced energy density in the battery.
The company claims that its new 3-D electrode technology offers significant advantages for any existing or emerging battery chemistry. They claim their new electrodes can reduce the charging time, extend its drive range, and improve the safety and lifetime of the battery. Moreover, the new electrodes do not change the battery size or its components. They also claim their new technology significantly lowers the manufacturing costs of any battery, irrespective of the battery chemistry.
