M.S. Whittingham, inventor of Li-ion tech to speak locally. Questions?

[Wonderboy]

I'm finding out if I can record the event in some form. Please! Submit more questions! Everyone!

[Wonderboy]

found out i'm allowed to record the event! bumped for any last minute questions.

[Christ]

Originally Posted by Wonderboy

found out i'm allowed to record the event! bumped for any last minute questions.

Is there a projected progression of energy density for lithium variant cells?

[AmpEater]

Whatda ya know, I bumped into wonderboy at the talk sporting an ecomodder t-shirt hogging all the face time with the professor

It was a fairly straightforward talk about the energy problem and the role of electric technology in the future of transport. There was some interesting slides regarding which areas of the periodic table yield different battery chemistries, and talks of potential shortages of lithium and where it is located geographically.

I was surprised he didn't even touch on LiFePO4 chemistry or advantages, talking mostly about LiCoO2 and variants. There was talk about Sulfur batteries, as well as Zinc air and Lithium Air possibilities.

[Christ]

I'd be interested in a dvd copy of the talk.

[Wonderboy]

As a bit of a nerd, or even someone who has heard an episode or two of Talk of the nation's science friday, the talk didn't feel as informative to me as it may have for most of the attendees. I can't say it was bad, but I can't say I learned that much. I can't really blame him for that though, as I don't think he was prepared to present to people like me or most EM members. Unfortunately, when I began filming with my mother's camera (I don't even own a video camera), it said the recording heads were dirty, and the light in the video looked like it was constantly fluctuating during the recording. I will get that uploaded within the next week.

While I was talking to Prof. Whittingham about the questions we had and mentioned ecomodder, someone next to me mentioned he was a member. As soon as I learned that Stan preferred answering the questions via email over being filmed, my interest in continuing any kind of intelligent conversation was eclipsed by my impulse to network with an ecomodder I'd never met.

It was great to meet yet another intelligent and productive ecomodder - I feel proud to be part of this community. Hopefully I'll be able to get some help with my EV conversion from AmpEater if I come by terra incognita

edit: oh yeah, I received an email from Prof. Whittingham saying he'll respond to the questions next weekend.

[MetroMPG]

Interesting that two EM members bumped into one another. I met one "in the wild" once too - EV Expo in Ottawa.

[Wonderboy]

I finally got around to ULing the video. Unfortunately the refresh rate of the projector didn't get along too well with the dv camera and the video fluctuates throughout the video. I will ask him for the ppt file if people can't read it in the video.

Here are the EM submitted questions answered, draw your own conclusions:
1.What do you think of Li-ion as an EV battery considering the high
discharge rates and deep cycling?
It will be fine. Rates are not as high as HEV, and batteries will only be cycled around the middle 50%.
2.How long until we are "there" with Li-ion for EVs or are we already
"there", but just with insufficient numbers for a lower cost?
Li-ion is already being used in HEV for buses and trucks. Specialized cars like the Tesla is using lithium-ion; Nissan EV will use Lithium-ion, and the Volt PHEV will use there. So we are beginning to see market introduction.
3.What is the most important or exciting new development in EV
batteries that are ready for production or close to it?
The massive amounts of money
4.Do you know anything about those carbon nano tubes? Specifically, is
anyone actually successfully producing experimental capacitors with
them ore are they expensive nano-sculptures at this point?
Still in the future. Capacitors are all too expensive for energy storage, but may be used as a capacitor add-on to batteries.
5.What are the projections for power/weight of future battery technologies?
Don't know off-hand, but future issue is more energy/weight and energy/volume.
6.What is the cost to capacity ratio of current Li-ion batteries
(consumer cost and/or production cost)
This has been coming down steadily over the years and is now less than that of nickel metal hydride batteries.
7.What sort of progress has been made (if any) in the rapid charging
of Li-ion batteries?
Not desirable for any battery. The cost of the charger is too high for fast charging. Most likely will use standard 110V outlet, or possibly 220 3 phase (I.e. standard household outlet)
8.Is there a projected progression of energy density for lithium
variant cells, or has the ceiling been hit?
Presently 100 - 200 Wh/kg including all packaging. Should easily reach 300-400 with smart packaging.