A novel cost effective industrial process for dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes on electrode materials for Li-Ion Batteries

Project Information

IonDrive

Grant agreement ID: 826871

DOI

10.3030/826871

Project closed

EC signature date 31 July 2018

Start date 1 August 2018

End date 30 November 2018

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

CENS MATERIALS LTD
Israel

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - IonDrive (A novel cost effective industrial process for dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes on electrode materials for Li-Ion Batteries)

Reporting period: 2018-08-01 to 2018-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The aim of the project was to ascertain the technical, commercial and financial viability of the IonDrive technology and also to determine the next actions to ensure that it reaches adequate maturity not only for a successful market entry but also for guaranteed industry competitiveness.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

We have determined the optimization criteria for IonDrive, particularly the process parameters leading to the final process specifications, determination of the final components required to build the pilot plant as well as the additional technical activities required to bring IonDrive to market. This enabled us to create a technology roadmap for the technical work to be done. We also accomplished an evaluation of potential technical risks for IonDrive Project and developed a plan for risk mitigation.
We have conducted an in-depth market analysis and have identified our target battery manufacturers for initial and long-term market entry and also target countries. We have also identified the best commercialization route for maximum exploitation of our innovation and also refined our sales processes through the help of the SME coaching services
We developed a 5-year financial projection of the IonDrive commercialization. IonDrive is expected to have significant positive impact on our financial performance, increasing annual revenue from the current €100K to €43M by the 5th year after commercialization.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Our key differentiator from the state-of-the-art (wet procedures) is the use of dry dispersion of CTN using a gas medium. Dry dispersion eliminates additional additives such as binders, surfactants and stabilisers that limit homogeneity, are a centre for additional costs and are also environmentally unfriendly. IonDrive is effective and achieves the highest level of homogeneity possible (80-85%), thereby enabling battery manufactures to fully exploit CNT-based electrodes at the lowest cost possible. This opens up avenues for the enhanced adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs), which have previously been for the few elite. The battery is one of the largest cost centres for EVs and optimising its production cost will enable the greater population to reap EV benefits. EVs are also limited in battery range and optimising the charge capacity and battery efficiency will extend battery range and user satisfaction.

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