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The worldwide race is on and escalating for the next generation
of low cost high output battery storage system technology that will power our
hybrid and electric automobiles as well as every other battery powered device
and gadget in the 21st century.
As one might expect there are a number of technologies already
in advanced stages. Among these participants there are a number of their
tech people who firmly believe that this quest to develop the most advanced
automotive battery to be one of the most important commercial races of our
era.
From the limited information currently available it appears that
other than Lithium itself, one of the most important front and centre
components in this quest is Electrolytic Manganese Metal (EMM) (65% of
battery component) and EMM production is over 97% controlled worldwide
by China.
Most of the previously developed Lithium-Ion batteries have used
a variety of components mainly with expensive Nickel Cobalt Cathodes. In a
recent MIT Tech Review of Feb/07/11 they state a new advanced stage battery
is being developed by Envia systems of California. They state that this
battery promises to store “Twice the energy of the Lithium-Ion Cobalt
Oxide”.
This new technology being developed by Envia and licensed from
Argonne National Laboratory is a “High Capacity Manganese Rich”
(HCMR) Cathode that they claim stores more energy than anything in use today.
General Motors has already secured the rights to use this high density
cathode material and is helping to fund millions of dollars in further
research.
The bottom line in the cost saving factor for automotive
applications is that because they can now store twice the energy, the total
number of batteries can be decreased by 50%. Added to that is the fact that
Manganese is much less expensive than Cobalt and much more effective in the
Cathode.
Looking beyond all the excitement this new technology brings to
the Auto sector, one realizes there are a vast number of other high demand
applications for Manganese Rich Lithium batteries holding greater storage
capacity and lifespan. For example think of the millions of Laptops, Cell
Phones, Medical Devices, Power Tools and even Toys that will use this
technology. The list is vast.
One such battery is already on the market by a company called
Ultralife. A 9-V Lithium, Manganese Dioxide (LiMnO2) battery with a lifespan
of 5X that of the older Alkaline and 10X that of the Carbon Zinc 9-V. This
new battery is lightest in weight and holds the longest shelf life. The
future for Manganese looks bright indeed.
According to a new report by Global Industry Analysts Inc.
(Feb. 07/11)
“The Global Manganese Market Will Exceed 21.9 Million Tons
By 2015”
It seems somewhat of a disconnect and strange that the US has no
domestic mine supply of Manganese when they are so worried about
China’s dominance of Rare Earth’s. We obviously need Rare
Earth’s for the magnets in electric motors but what about the batteries
to run the motors?
While China controls over 97% of RE’s supply worldwide,
they also control over 97% of Electrolytic Manganese worldwide. China also
imports the majority of the raw Manganese ore to produce the EMM as their
domestic ore supply is limited and of poor quality. Thus the finished product
becomes that much more expensive as well as having a 20% export tax the US
adds another 14% import tax.
All things considered how does all of the above make US produced
HCMR battery producers competitive with China. We know they will ultimately
steal or reproduce this technology at some point. If we want to be
competitive in the Green Energy Sector we need a domestic supply of EMM plain
and simple. The Steel Industry of the US would also be a large
beneficiary as well.
So while China builds up its domestic stockpiles, plus controls
and taxes heavily it’s exports of Critical and Strategic Metals, the US
has sold off the majority of it’s strategic Manganese stockpiles over
the last few years.
Stay tuned as I will be doing a follow up on another Critical
Metal regarding MIT and their new technology for storing Solar power thru a 3
stage liquid (Molten Magnesium, Catalyst, Molten Antimony) large scale
container sized battery that with a farm of batteries can store energy for
the power grid of a city. Toyota is already making significant headway with
their research on Magnesium use in automotive batteries as well. Magnesium is
also being alloyed for sheet steel in Auto bodies to decrease weight. There
is a lot of new info on Magnesium to learn about.
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me by email.
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Thanks For Reading: Regards;
Ken
Reser
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