International. NEO Battery Materials, a developer of low-cost silicon anode materials that enable longer-lasting, fast-charging lithium-ion batteries, reported that it has achieved a significant technological milestone in its nanocoating manufacturing process.
The new uniform nanocoating capability enables NEO's proprietary silicon anode materials, NBMSiDE, to extend electric vehicle driving ranges and cause faster battery charging.
NEO has achieved ideal nanocoating conditions to produce uniformly coated silicon particles consistently. As a result, uniform nanocoating layers will be an additional advantage to improve the current performance achieved by NBMSiDE.
Previously, non-uniform coatings often resulted in substandard capacity retention due to mechanical failure. The uniform nanocoating will ensure strong capacity retention and enable coating thickness control during commercial-grade testing.
NEO CTO, S. G. Kim, commented: "Achieving uniform coating layers at the nanoscale is an exceptionally difficult task for a company of any size handling chemicals. Especially for NEO, our silicon metal inputs acquire a plate-shaped structure, which adds to the technical hurdle of enabling uniform coatings."
"However, by achieving this uniform coating capability through an additional solution process, we have achieved a remarkable achievement and have accumulated great interest from experts and third-party industry players," added Dr. Kim.
The transformative innovation will enable NEO to supply silicon anodes that are 70% cheaper compared to current competitive technologies. Additional patents related to technology and additive materials for the uniform coating solution process are also ongoing.
Mr. Spencer Huh, President and Chief Executive Officer of NEO, said: "With commercialization on track for 2024, this technological milestone marks another significant advantage for us in the battery industry. This uniform coating capability can also be applied to different chemical and battery materials, such as cathode materials."
"At NEO, our goal is to provide one of the most transformative and cost-effective battery technology solutions to foster mass adoption of electric vehicles."
