*BUMP*
Prototyped cells. The picture was taken at AT International 2009, a trade show hosted by Nikkei Business Publications Inc from July 15 to 17, 2009.
From here:
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20090806/173940/
Aleees Reveals Details of Its LiFePO4 Cathode Material
8 06, 2009 10:12
Kouji Kariatsumari, Nikkei Electronics
Advanced Lithium Electrochemistry (Aleees) Co Ltd of Taiwan disclosed the technological features of and sales strategies for its lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), which was developed for use as a positive electrode material for Li-ion secondary batteries.
The LiFePO4 includes a small amount of metallic oxide, but it is added by co-crystallization not by doping or coating.
For example, a positive-electrode material added with vanadium oxide (V2O3) has a current capacity per mass of 155mAh/g, which is higher than that of the LiFePO4 being sold by other companies, Aleees said. Furthermore, only 0.2 weight percent of V2O3 can increase the electric conductivity of the material, enabling to keep the amount of carbon as low as 2 or 3 weight percent.
According to the company, the conductance of the Li ion is 1.9 x 10-2.
Aleees sells the material not only as powder but also as cells. The cells are manufactured by a Korean battery manufacturer. However, to provide the material as cells, the variation of internal resistance has to be reduced. Therefore, for the future, Aleees plans to contract with one of Japanese battery manufacturers that can produce high-quality cells, Aleees said.
Japanese battery manufacturers tend to avoid employing LiFePO4 because many related patents and exclusive licenses are allegedly owned by the University of Texas, Hydro-Quebec and Phostech Lithium Inc, which was established by Hydro-Quebec and is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sud-Chemie AG.
Meanwhile, Aleees said it will take all the responsibilities if any lawsuit is filed against its positive-electrode material. The company also said that the price of the material could be about half that of other companies' materials because a wet process can be used.