University Launches Innovative Technology Partnership
April 23, 2009
The news of a major industrial collaboration to produce the world’s first commercially viable bi-polar lead acid battery was announced today at the opening of the UK’s first Advanced Bi-polar Battery Development research facility.
The University of Glamorgan’s new R&D facility will be at the heart of a programme to test and develop bi-polar batteries using unique components manufactured by Atraverda, an advanced materials company headquartered in Wales.
Bi-polar batteries are widely regarded as having the best potential to replace the traditional lead acid battery.
The collaboration between Atraverda and the University of Glamorgan has the potential to revolutionise the global battery industry by producing batteries that are up to 40% lighter, 20% smaller, have 40% more energy capacity and twice the lifespan of traditional lead acid batteries.
They are also more environmentally friendly using up to 50% less lead and produce 80% less CO2 during the manufacturing process. Bi-polar batteries are 100% recyclable and will be significantly cheaper than other battery types under development such as lithium technologies.
The technology has the potential for use in a wide range of applications including the automotive industry and particularly the development of hybrid and electric vehicles. But bi-polar battery packs also have the potential for use in telecommunications, providing uninterrupted power supplies, stationary power and renewable energy power storage, both solar and wind applications.
Under the collaboration Atraverda will provide their bipolar substrates containing their proprietary Ebonex® conductive ceramic material, which will be packaged into a unique battery system developed and tested using the expertise of the University.
A significant number of prototype batteries will be developed in the first year which will then be commercially tested by Atraverda and associated partners.
Opening the new facility the First Minister Rhodri Morgan welcomed news of the collaboration: “This alliance between industry and academia has tremendous potential to develop the next generation of battery technology here in Wales. It opens up exciting possibilities which could have a major impact not just on the global industry but also on our everyday lives.
“The University of Glamorgan/Atraverda partnership agreement illustrates the importance of industry and academia working together to take research and development technology that step further and create new highly innovative real commercial products.”
The Welsh Assembly Government is already working supporting the University of Glamorgan in their knowledge transfer programmes and has also supported Atraverda to setup their UK headquarters in Wales to develop their green bipolar battery technology.
The Advanced Bi-polar Battery Development centre will have a unique capability and a wide range of fully automated testing equipment and facilities to carry out R&D into any type of battery system. It will be a major resource for UK industry.
Dr. Andrew Loyns, Chief Technology Officer for Atraverda, said the collaboration is the culmination of a significant effort involving both parties. “The University’s facilities, coupled with Atraverda’s proprietary Ebonex® ceramic, provide the perfect platform with which to advance bi-polar lead-acid technology.”
Atraverda’s Chief Executive Michael Gilchrist said: “Atraverda is very pleased and proud to be part of this joint programme with the University of Glamorgan. This collaboration is evidence that Wales is on the leading edge of green energy storage technology. The intended result of this cooperative work will move our bi-polar battery closer to commercialisation.”
Jonathan Williams, Lecturer and Programme Leader, said “The partnership with Atraverda is key to our desire to carry out collaborative knowledge transfer activities with local industry that have a real opportunity to successfully commercialise beyond this joint research phase.
“Clearly Wales lies at the heart of the UK’s battery manufacturing industry and this technology along with others has the ability to transform the automotive and stationary power sectors of the future.”
For further information please contact:
Alison Tobin
Research Communications Officer
Tel: 01443 483562
email: atobin@glam.ac.uk
