US-based battery technology company 24M Technologies has shipped its commercial-sized lithium metal battery cells, integrated with its patented battery separator (Impervio) that acts against thermal runaways and its innovative electrolyte (Eternalyte), to a major automotive original equipment manufacturer, the company announced Oct. 22.
The development marks a significant step toward large-scale production of safer and more reliable electric vehicle batteries.
24M’s breakthrough Impervio technology is a transformative battery separator that prevents fires by obstructing dendrite propagation. It controls the cell at the individual electrode level, preventing dendrites from propagating and enabling early fault detection. According to the company, Impervio can prevent a thermal runaway by monitoring the cell’s electrochemistry and enabling a failsafe in the event of a potential short.
It further said that the battery separator works with all battery formats and can easily integrate into existing manufacturing processes. As a result, OEMs can test and ultimately integrate the technology in their own facilities without making significant changes to their current production lines, whether using conventional battery production methods or the 24M SemiSolid process.
With the available 24M prototypes, OEMs can test the innovations for rapid integration and deployment across the automotive industry.
In addition to addressing critical safety challenges, 24M is also at the forefront of overcoming other barriers to widespread EV adoption. The company claims that when combined with its innovative electrolyte Eternalyte, its electrode-to-pack (ETOP) approach and recycling process (Liforever), 24M’s battery technology can achieve up to 1,000 miles of driving range with batteries that are 100% recyclable.
“The growing concerns around battery fire safety must be addressed to ensure widespread adoption of EVs and a more sustainable energy future,” said Naoki Ota, CEO and president of 24M Technologies. “This shipment of Impervio-enabled battery cells to a major OEM, is a significant first step in restoring consumer confidence that a safer, longer-lasting, and more efficient battery is obtainable.”
