The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
NexTech to use 2D material in anode of next-gen batteries Metal Tech News – October 28, 2020
NexTech is testing the use of Directa Plus graphene in the anodes of lithium sulfur batteries.
Italy-based Directa Plus says it has reached a tentative agreement to supply graphene for cathodes in lithium sulfur batteries being developed by NexTech Batteries.
Nevada-based NexTech was founded in 2016 to advance exclusive lithium sulfur battery technology developed during 14 years of research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The company says this emerging rechargeable battery technology has the potential to more than double the weight-to-energy-storage ratio of lithium-ion batteries, while also providing cost savings.
Under the terms of a non-binding memorandum of understanding announced on Oct. 26, Directa and NexTech will collaborate on activities aimed at supplying NexTech with Directa's G+ pristine graphene nanoplatelets, a key raw material for manufacturing the cathode of lithium sulfur batteries.
"Electric mobility is at the heart of NexTech's purpose, and making batteries affordable, sustainable and safe are some of the most important technological challenges we face," said NexTech Technologies CEO Bill Burger. "Better battery materials and higher energy density are clearly key to achieving these goals and Directa and NexTech will make such materials a reality."
Directa says its G+ graphene is produced using a unique technique the company calls plasma super expansion. This process expands, exfoliates and dries natural graphite to create graphene nanoplatelets-based powders, liquids, and pastes.
The company says this process can be customized to produce highly consistent graphene nanoplatelets products tailored to meet the customers need without the use of chemical or solvent additives.
G+ graphene produced by Directa is already used in a wide-variety of applications, from antiviral facemasks to slow the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases to absorbent barriers for oil-spill clean-up and recovery.
More information on G+ graphene's coronavirus killing capabilities can be read at Graphene Plus infused masks kill COVID in the Aug. 17 edition of Metal Tech News.
"Environmental sustainability is at the heart of Directa's purpose, and a successful global transition away from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy is one of the most important environmental challenges the world faces," said Directa Plus CEO Giulio Cesareo. "Better battery technology and more widespread deployment are vital to achieving these goals and NexTech is at the forefront of that process."
Prior to entering into the agreement with Directa, NexTech completed significant test work which has validated the suitability of the Italian company's G+ materials for lithium sulfur battery production.
NexTech says it is in the process of scaling up its production to meet increasing demand from customers for its batteries. Subject to the achievement of minimum orders, NexTech will have the exclusive right to use Directa's G+ graphene in lithium sulfur batteries for five years.
"We are very excited about the opportunity we have to leverage Directa's materials know-how and apply it to the field of energy storage, and we look forward to seeding the market with next generation batteries making energy storage affordable for everybody," said Burger.
A formal arrangement for the supply of Directa's G+ products to NexTech will be subject to the negotiation and execution of a definitive, binding supply agreement.
With more than 16 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration and technology metals.
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