Modern-day society is made possible by science and technology breakthroughs we’ve had over the years. From compressors that enable refrigeration to air conditioning and the humble electric motor, which serves our numerous needs, there are plenty of technologies at work for us. Storage of electricity is one such scientific marvel, which enables us to carry devices that would otherwise need to be always plugged in. Now, Netherlands based startup LeydenJar Technologies has reached another milestone in the scientific journey.
Boosting battery energy levels by 70 percent
Current batteries are restricted to using small amounts of silicon in their anodes since they were primarily carbon-based. The Netherlands based startup LeydenJar Technologies has developed a new method to create anodes in lithium-ion batteries, which are made from 100 percent silicon. This breakthrough is said to drastically change the battery industry as it enables the production of batteries with a 70 percent higher energy density (1350 Wh/L) and 62 percent lower CO2 emissions.
Silicon is touted to have ten times the capacity of carbon when used as an anode material. Till now, technical limitations hampered using silicon as the primary material but LeydenJar’s technology makes it possible. The tech is derived from solar cell production technology called plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition, or PECVD.
The innovation enabling 70 percent higher energy density for batteries is expected to have a notable impact on various sectors such as consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and the storage of renewable energy. This is because the new technology doesn’t drive up the production costs and is a ‘plug-in’ solution to existing battery gigafactories.
Founder and managing director of LeydenJar Technologies, Christian Rood, says, ‘The significance of battery capacity is huge. Electric driving, more intelligent smartphones, electric flying, everything, and everyone is waiting for better batteries. Our solution is smart and easily incorporated without any additional cost. We cordially invite everyone to use and experience the advantages of LeydenJar’s silicon anodes.”
Scaling-up production capacity
LeydenJar built its test pouch cells using commercially available battery materials, such as NMC 622 cathodes, and LeydenJar’s silicon anodes. It was able to achieve energy density of 1350 Wh/L at the start of battery life and the new and improved battery cells demonstrated a cycle life of more than 100 cycles.
LeydenJar Technologies is a Dutch spin-out of the applied research institute TNO which was founded back in April 2016 by co-founders Christian Rood and Gabriël de Scheemaker. The startup has raised a total of €4.3 million in funding till date, mostly in form of grants. The company is now gearing up to scale-up its production capacity in the coming years, which will be the next step in its journey.
Image credits: LeydenJar
