70% charge in 2 minutes - a game changer?

**SPman** · 28th October 2014, 17:40

Li-ion Batteries That Recharge To 70% In 2 Minutes

Scientists at Nanyang Technology University (NTU) have developed batteries they say can be recharged up to 70 per cent in only two minutes and have a lifespan of 20 years.In traditional lithium ion batteries, graphite used for the anode (negative pole). The potential game changer in NTU’s battery is an anode made from titanium dioxide

Lithium-ion batteries usually use additives to bind the electrodes to the anode, which affects the speed in which electrons and ions can transfer in and out of the batteries .
However, Prof Chen’s new cross-linked titanium dioxide nanotube-based electrodes eliminates the need for these additives and can pack more energy into the same amount of space....

Apparently making the new gel is quite easy and only involves mixing titanium dioxide and sodium hydroxide at a certain temperature. The team says battery manufacturers will find it simple to integrate the new gel into current production processes.

Rather than being a development that could take many years before it becomes generally available, Prof Chen expects the batteries will hit the market in the next two years – the technology has already been licensed by an unnamed company.

http://media.ntu.edu.sg/NewsReleases...0-10ae4c50c934

Is this the game changer that makes electric vehicles everyday viable?.

**paturoa** · 28th October 2014, 17:54

Big fat cables required!

Not sure I believe that, wouldn't the internal resistance of the batt have to be a lot lower than current tech?

**AllanB** · 28th October 2014, 18:12

Will The Warehouse sell them?

**bogan** · 28th October 2014, 18:14

There has been a few game-changer type technical advances by the boffins of late, just waiting on it to come through the pipeline to consumer... which of course is the real test.

**Akzle** · 28th October 2014, 18:19

depends what capacities can be achieved. whether it works on 18v 4-8Ah powertools... or 400Ah marine batts... interesting certainly. not so useful for those of us with no electric connection...

**Gremlin** · 28th October 2014, 18:21

Originally Posted by paturoa

Big fat cables required!

Not sure I believe that, wouldn't the internal resistance of the batt have to be a lot lower than current tech?

Since they're changing the materials used within the battery, it's re-writing the rules.

The tech also has benefits in basically any industry that has a need for batteries. Much like the shift from nicad to lith-ion etc... it's the next step.

**Naki Rat** · 28th October 2014, 18:21

A newly charged 80kWh battery in less time than it takes to fill up an (Internal Combustion Engine) ICE vehicle

And from the owner of a Nissan LEAF the energy costs are a small fraction of that of an ICE. >4c/km at retail electricity price, or <1.6c based on Meridian's buy back price for most of our PV generation. And a LEAF will beat most ICEs away from a standing start!

**YellowDog** · 28th October 2014, 19:19

Originally Posted by paturoa

Big fat cables required!

Not sure I believe that, wouldn't the internal resistance of the batt have to be a lot lower than current tech?

100mm platform rubber boots required when connecting the 24mm 20,000watt charger

I guess that's what those Indian guys at the fuel stops could do for you.

70% in 2 minutes is pretty impressive. Does the remaining 30% take 23hrs 58minutes?

**Naki Rat** · 28th October 2014, 19:46

Originally Posted by YellowDog

100mm platform rubber boots required when connecting the 24mm 20,000watt charger

I guess that's what those Indian guys at the fuel stops could do for you.

70% in 2 minutes is pretty impressive. Does the remaining 30% take 23hrs 58minutes?

The reasoning behind charging only to 70% is that Li-Ion batteries have no tolerance for overcharging as this is potentially very explosive. A "Rapid Charger" such as the 44kW one in Whangarei is capable of providing an 80% charge for a LEAF's 24kWh Li-Ion battery in 30 minutes, which is restricted to that percentage for the same safety reason.

Regarding 'fat cabling' our home charging outlet is capable of 7kW and has a dedicated 32amp feed. Our first generation LEAF restricts its charge rate to 3.3kW but this has been increased to 6.6kW on the current model. (Not the current NZ new $40K LEAF which is ex-AU stock of 1st generation vehicles).

**AllanB** · 28th October 2014, 19:47

It's a odd one.

In theory it won't be long before instead of pouring petrol out of a hose at the station you'll be plugging in a big cable. Hmmm will you be able to set values of your 'fill-up'? Currently I can put in $10 of fuel if I like - will I be able to punch in $10 of 'power'?

**Naki Rat** · 28th October 2014, 19:53

Originally Posted by AllanB

It's a odd one.

In theory it won't be long before instead of pouring petrol out of a hose at the station you'll be plugging in a big cable. Hmmm will you be able to set values of your 'fill-up'? Currently I can put in $10 of fuel if I like - will I be able to punch in $10 of 'power'?

There are two reasons not to 'part fill' the battery. Firstly a full charge on a (Nissan LEAF) 24kWh battery would cost about $4 at retail electricity rates and this gets about 100km of travel so why not fill right up. Also based on that the cost of charging the biggest EV battery which is currently the Tesla's 80kWh would be <$14.

Also the total battery life of Li-Ion batteries is largely governed by number of charge cycles whether they are total or part charges.

**SPman** · 28th October 2014, 20:44

I think they're working on 10,000 charge cycles on this one.

**AllanB** · 28th October 2014, 20:47

'On-the-go' charge rates will be significantly higher than charging at 'home rates'.

For example I charge by CBRE1000 (the E is a reference to electric and the 1000 references the equivalent power output of the electric engine in relative petrol powered hp terms) overnight Friday and head out for a hoon on Saturday to Kaikoura (160 odd kms), while stopping at my favorite cafe/bar I plug the bike in for the return trip.

This works well for the eatery as they have set up a charging station and the hour plus of rapid charging I require to get home means I'll spend money on their food and drinks. As a side note while chatting to the manager he tells me a lot of motorcyclists stop for lunch and and he was thinking of setting up a lap dance studio out the back - he asks my opinion. Considering the thickness of leather pants I recommend he considers employing very fit girls as they will have to work twice as hard due to the thickness of cowhide.

I complete my meal while pondering the stereotypical opinion of the manager and his presumption that motorcyclists would automatically gravitate toward a lap dance studio. I make a note to apply for a Government grant to study this, after all Government subsidized lap dances for motorcyclists may vastly improve our poor road statistics. Theory being a relaxed rider may be less inclined to ride in an aggressive manner.

I collect my account and notice a $25 charge for the bikes 'fill-up'. It would have cost me $10 at home but I am paying the the service, compliance costs for the business to set-up and on-going compulsory three monthly electrical warrants. Not to mention the resource consent they had to apply for.

I ride back to Christchurch in a aggressive manner - all this lap dancing talk has got the adrenaline pumping and I'm buzzing.

**Naki Rat** · 28th October 2014, 21:06

Originally Posted by AllanB

'On-the-go' charge rates will be significantly higher than charging at 'home rates'.

.......
I collect my account and notice a $25 charge for the bikes 'fill-up'. It would have cost me $10 at home but I am paying the the service, compliance costs for the business to set-up and on-going compulsory three monthly electrical warrants. Not to mention the resource consent they had to apply for.

.......

$10 for a home charge? That's either one hell of a big battery (40kWh?), or else very inefficient charging?

With the increasing amount of EVs in NZ many vehicle dealerships and other businesses are installing charging stations, many of which are free to use as an incentive to attract customers. There was a pair of 7kW chargers installed at Sylvia Park a couple of weeks ago. Map of current NZ public chargers here.

**Swoop** · 28th October 2014, 21:11

Originally Posted by Naki Rat

With the increasing amount of EVs in NZ many vehicle dealerships and other businesses are installing charging stations, many of which are free to use as an incentive to attract customers. There was a pair of 7kW chargers installed at Sylvia Park a couple of weeks ago. Map of current NZ public chargers here.

I can foresee more summers where "conserve electricity, the hydro lakes are low again!" is being broadcast nationwide.