Manufacturing Stream

High Performance Battery Manufacturing

Global Production of Safe, Efficient, Higher Energy Density Batteries

March 27-28, 2018 | Fort Lauderdale Convention Center | Fort Lauderdale, Florida


Advancements in battery manufacturing will be the catalyst for the growth of high performance electric vehicles and consumer electronics. The battery manufacturing track will take a global perspective on battery manufacturing and will bring together the key stakeholders that represent the complete value chain of battery manufacturing and will showcase the latest innovations from key manufacturers in Asia, Europe and the United States. With presentations focusing on the latest approaches to assembly, automation, efficiency, inspection methods and cost reduction, valuable insight will be gained into the entire global manufacturing ecosystem. Conference attendees will gain a critical understanding of the state of manufacturing from around the world and who is leading the way to the future of battery manufacturing.

Monday, March 26

7:00 am - 4:00 pm Tutorial and Training Seminar* Registration Open

7:00 - 8:00 am Morning Coffee

12:30 - 1:30 Enjoy Lunch on Your Own

1:30 - 2:00 Networking Refreshment Break

4:00 Close of Day

*Separate registration required for Tutorials and Training Seminar.

Tuesday, March 27

7:00 am Registration and Morning Coffee

8:10 Plenary Keynote Sessions: Organizer’s Opening Remarks

Craig Wohlers, Executive Director, Conferences, Cambridge EnerTech


8:15 How Does the Electrolyte Change during the Lifetime of a Li-Ion Cell?

Jeff Dahn, PhD, Professor, Canada Research Chair, NSERC/Tesla Canada Industrial Research Chair, Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University

Jeff Dahn is recognized as one of the pioneering developers of the lithium-ion battery that is now used worldwide in laptop computers and cellphones. This presentation will examine how the electrolyte changes during the lifetime of the cell.

8:45 Uber Elevate - Powering an Electric UberAIR Future

Celina_MikolajczakCelina Mikolajczak, Director of Battery Development, Uber

Celina Mikolajczak will be speaking about the Uber Elevate initiative and sharing vision for how vertical take-off and landing vehicles will change the world, as well as the energy storage needs required to power UberAIR missions in the years ahead.

9:15 Networking Coffee Break

Innovation and Design for Manufacturing

9:45 Organizer’s Opening Remarks

Craig Wohlers, Executive Director, Conferences, Cambridge EnerTech

9:50 Chairperson’s Remarks

Ratnakumar Bugga, PhD, Principal Member Technical Staff, Electrochemical Technologies Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

10:00 Challenges, Risks, and Opportunities for a Rapid Expansion of xEV Batteries and Materials

Sachiya Inagaki, General Manager, Industrial Technology Unit, Yano Research Institute, Ltd.

So far, xEV market has grown thanks to policies and subsidies. But, are those supports sustainable? I will talk about how we should see the xEV market based on what we are facing now.

10:30 Li-Ion Technology for Space, Defense, Racing and Industrial Applications

Thomas Greszler, Cell Development Manager, Saft America

Research, development and new products for specialty applications/markets which require currents >100C-rate or temperatures >100°C or very long life or inherent safety will be discussed.

11:00 The Study of Thermal Management System with Intelligent Temperature Control for Power Battery Pack

Jimson Jiang, Senior Engineer, Research & Development, EVE Energy Co., Ltd., China

The thermal management system, which adopts advanced thermal management scheme and intelligent control strategy, can guarantee that the pack works at an optimum and uniform temperature during the charging and discharging processes at different climate conditions.

Frontier 11:30 Roll to Roll Coating and Drying of Lithium Ion Battery Electrodes

Scott_ZwierleinScott Zwierlein, Coating Process Engineer, Coating and Drying Equipment, Frontier - a Delta ModTech Company

Frontier offers experience in the development of coating machines. We will discuss the various aspects of the coating and drying process for producing Li-ion battery and capacitor electrodes, fuel cells, energy storage and membranes. In addition, we will discuss the latest advancements and innovations to improve quality and increase yields.

11:45 Youlion Enters the GWh Factory Competition

Huanyu (Henry) Mao, PhD., Chairman & General Manager, Suzhou Youlion Battery Inc. & Franz Josef Kruger, PhD, BatteryConsultants S.A.

Youlion Battery Inc., founded 2014 in Suzhou, has started their fully automated production of prismatic (VDA format) cells in their first 1 GWh facility, in autumn, 2017. With their already existing production line for cylindrical cells, this brings up their total production capacity to 1.5 GWh per year, with definitive plans for expansion up to 2.5 GWh, in 2018. While their cylindrical cells are already used by numerous e-bus customers in China, their prismatic cells are aiming for the worldwide EV and xEV markets. Based on advanced Graphite/NCM chemistries, Youlion prismatic cells are designed for high power or high energy applications with fast charge capabilities of 3C, and higher.It will be demonstrated that Youlion cells and battery packs surpass most stringent automotive performance and safety requirements.

EVE-Sponsor12:05 pm Networking Luncheon

12:55 Networking Refreshment Break

New Chemistries & Innovations for Manufacturing

1:25 Chairperson’s Remarks

Craig Rigby, Advanced Market & Technology Strategist, Johnson Controls


1:30 FEATURED PRESENTATION: Glass Battery Cells in Numbers

M. Helena Braga, PhD, Professor, Engineering Physics Department, University of Porto, Portugal and Materials Science and Materials Engineering Department, University of Texas at Austin

John Goodenough, PhD, Professor, Virginia H. Cockrell Centennial Chair in Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin

The Li+ or Na+ glass electrolyte with a cation conductivity σi > 10-2 S cm-1 at 25°C and a dielectric constant, ε’r > 103 at 0.1 Hz that is wet by a metallic lithium or sodium anode is used to develop a new strategy for an all-solid-state, rechargeable, metal-plating battery. We will make an overview on the calculations, ab initio simulations and experimental data to explain how the glass cells work. The result is a safe, low-cost, lithium or sodium rechargeable battery of high energy density and long cycle life.

2:00 High Energy and Long-Life Li-S Cells with High-Loading Cathodes

Ratnakumar Bugga, PhD, Principal Member Technical Staff, Electrochemical Technologies Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

At NASA/JPL, we have been developing high energy and long-life lithium-sulfur cells for NASA and DoD applications. Our approach is based on using: i) Composite high area-specific capacity sulfur cathodes, blended with metal sulfides, ii) polysulfide blocking layers based on ceramic/organic coated polymeric separators, and iii) protected lithium anode. These approaches have resulted in laboratory Li-S cell showing high sulfur utilization (800 mAh/g) even in dense cathodes stable through >100 cycles.

Paracleate Energy2:30 Next Generation Anodes for Li-Ion Cells: How to Achieve Both High Capacity and Cycle Stability When Using Silicon Metal

Jeff_NorrisJeff Norris, PhD, CEO, Paraclete Energy

Surface modification of silicon particles functions both as artificial SEI while preventing silicon from exposure to electrolyte. Paraclete’s surface modification architecture is covalently bonded directly to silicon’s surface (not through surface oxides) enabling the silicon to expand without substantial contact with electrolyte, resulting in a highly stable surface for SEI formation, increasing the cycle stability of the cell. Paraclete’s SM-Silicon’s morphology leads to a rate capability, tap density and a low ICL as conventional graphite.

3:00 Grand Opening Dessert Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

3:45 Separator, Solid State Electrolyte and Challenges for Future High Energy Batteries

John_ZhangJohn Zhang, PhD, Senior Technical Executive Officer, Asahi Sasei Separator

Separator has been widely used in Li-ion batteries, and its performance has been greatly enhanced by ceramic coatings. Meanwhile, the attempt to replace traditional separator by solid state electrolyte to make safe all solid lithium batteries with lithium metal anode have been announced by many research institutes as well as Toyota. I will show the hope of new era on battery progress. We will discuss the challenges and realities of the hope.

4:15 Supply Chain Dynamics and How This Will Impact the Price Targets of Li Ion Industry

Kurt Vandeputte, Vice President, Rechargeable Battery Materials Business Unit, Umicore

4:35 PANEL DISCUSSION: Investing in Growth on the Path to Profitability in Energy Storage

Moderator:
Craig_RigbyCraig Rigby, Advanced Market & Technology Strategist, Johnson Controls

Making significant investments in large-scale capacity without a clear path to profitability is one of the primary challenges in the development and mass adoption of advanced batteries. How can the production capacity for batteries match the projected growth rate for electric vehicles without a reasonable return on investment? This panel will examine ways in which the battery industry must adjust in order to achieve long term viability and profitability.

5:15 Transition to Breakout Discussions

5:20 Interactive Breakout Discussion Groups

Participants choose a specific breakout discussion group to join. Each group has a moderator to ensure focused discussions around key issues within the topic. This format allows participants to meet potential collaborators, share examples from their work, vet ideas with peers, and be part of a group problem-solving endeavor. The discussions provide an informal exchange of ideas and are not meant to be a corporate or specific product discussion.

TABLE 1: Lessons Learned from the Samsung Galaxy Note7 Battery Safety Events

Shmuel De-Leon, CEO, Shmuel De-Leon Energy, Ltd.

TABLE 2: Need, Status, and Future Prospects of New Battery Materials

Maximilian Fichtner, PhD, Executive Director, Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU); Managing Director, Energy Storage Group, Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

TABLE 3: Unmet Needs and Opportunities in Battery Diagnostics

Alexej Jerschow, PhD, Professor, Chemistry Department, New York University

TABLE 4: Silicon Anodes and Cells

Benjamin Park, PhD, Founder & CTO, Enevate

TABLE 5: High Energy Density and Improved Safety with Enhanced Current Collectors

Brian Morin, PhD, CEO, Soteria Battery Innovation Group

TABLE 6: Cell Manufacturing

Raf Goossens, PhD, CEO, Global Corporate Management, PEC

TABLE 7: What Do I Really Have to Do to Ship My Small Li-Ion Battery Globally?

Cynthia Millsaps, President and CEO, Energy Assurance LLC

TABLE 8: Preventing Costly Over-Design While Maintaining Safety

Chris Turner, CTO & Vice President, Inventus Power

TABLE 9: Consumer Product Safety

Douglas Lee, Directorate for Engineering Sciences, U.S. Consumer for Product Safety Commission

TABLE 10: SK Innovation’s use of IPR in SK Innovation v. Celgard

Grant M. Ehrlich, PhD, Partner, Cantor Colburn LLP.

TABLE 11: Electrolyte Developments: New Components and Approaches

Sam Jaffe, Managing Director, Cairn Energy Research Advisors

6:20 Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)

7:20 Close of Day

Wednesday, March 28

7:15 am Registration and Morning Coffee

Advances in Cell Manufacturing

7:45 Chairperson’s Remarks

Thomas Greszler, Cell Development Manager, Saft America

7:50 Latest Development of Chinese EV Market with a Cathode Perspective

Yuan Gao, President & CEO, Board Director, Pulead Technology Industry Co., Ltd., China

As the title suggests, I will provide a latest update on the EV market development in China, and its impact on the cathode supply chain going forward. Different technologies will be discussed, and Pulead’s offering will be presented.

8:10 Status and Critical Challenges of Battery Materials for e-Mobility and Energy Storage

Michael A. Fetcenko, Managing Director, BASF Battery Materials, North America, BASF

The long hoped for emergence of electric vehicles has now become a reality. Whether this is full battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid, hybrid or start-stop vehicles, the challenge for battery companies and material suppliers is to provide ever increasing vehicle range, safety, lifetime and cost. To enable a broad and affordable mass market penetration of electromobility and energy storage applications, continuous improvement on the material level is necessary. The energy storage industry is working on a vast array of cathode material technologies for Li-Ion batteries such as NCA, NCM, and next generation chemistries including high Ni, low Co and Mn enriched formulations. This presentation will discuss the materials science challenges to today’s and next generation materials with emphasis on the technology roadmap for BASF.

8:30 Lishen’s Progress in Developing the 21700 Cylindrical Cell

Jiang Zhou, Vice President, Lishen Research Institute, Tianjin Lishen Battery Joint-Stock Co., Ltd.

This presentation focuses on the progress of the 21700 cell development at Tianjin Lishen Battery Company. Three types of 21700 cells, viz energy cell, power cell and fast charge cell, are being developed targeting the xEV, ESS, Power Tool and Portable Mobile Device markets. Benefits of 21700 cells will be discussed and a three-year product roadmap will be presented.

9:00 Vibration Matters in Battery Ultrasonic Welding

Wayne_CaiWayne Cai, PhD, Staff Researcher, Research, General Motors

Ultrasonic welding is a mainstream welding technology for Li-ion batteries. While vibration brings energy to the ultrasonic welding process to make a weld, it can also cause potential damages to the welding components or even the systems. This talk discusses research results and engineering methodologies towards mitigating the detrimental vibration effects on battery and battery electric vehicle manufacturing.

9:30 From Lab to Gigafactory - Scale-Up of LIB Slurry Processing

Adrian Spillmann, Head, Market Segment Battery Solutions, Grinding & Dispersing Technologies, Buhler AG

Electrode slurry production is one of the most critical process steps for the manufacturing of LIB electrodes and essentially impacts the electrochemical performance of the battery cell. However, the traditional batch mixing will no longer fulfill the future requirements for cost reduction and capacity ramp-up. Buhler have developed a continuous slurry preparation process which enables to significantly reduce investment and operation cost through improved consistency and yield.

10:00 Coffee Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

10:45 The Smart Cell Factory

Raf_GoossensRaphael Goossens, CEO, General Management, PEC North America

How Industry 4.0 standards will help cell manufacturers to increase efficiency and reduce their manufacturing costs. The presentation will focus on cell finishing, which is the most complex process in the cell factory.


Innovations in Recycling Battery Materials for Manufacturing

11:15 Current Environmental Activities Related to Portable Secondary Batteries

Hirhito_TeraokaHirohito Teraoka, Chief Technical Officer, Ni-MH Battery division, FDK Corporation

We would like to discuss environmental activities for portable secondary batteries. We would like to discuss collection and recycling methods and improvements for future benefits. We would like to discuss and promote a future environmental standard for portable secondary batteries.

11:45 A Closed-Loop Battery Model for Use by Recyclers, Manufacturers, and Researchers

Linda_GainesLinda Gaines, PhD, Systems Analyst, Argonne National Laboratory

This closed-loop system provides the user with not just the cost and environmental impact of a portion of the cycle, but offers a view of the overall impact throughout the entire circular material loop and provides a comparison of virgin battery builds and batteries using recycled content. The model is designed to permit easy updates as new materials, manufacturing methods, and recycling methods develop and mature.

12:15 pm Luncheon Presentation (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)

1:30 Shep Wolsky Battery Innovator Award and Tribute & Plenary Keynotes

1:45 Past, Present and Future of Lithium-Ion Batteries. Can New Technologies Open Up New Horizons?

Yoshio_NishiYoshio Nishi, PhD, Executive Alumni, Sony Corporation

Mr. Yoshio Nishi is retired senior vice president and chief technology officer of the Sony Corporation. He graduated in 1966 from the Faculty of Applied Chemistry of the Department of Technology at Keio University in Tokyo and immediately joined Sony, where he rose through the ranks to become corporate research fellow, vice president, and president of the company’s materials laboratories. In 1991 his team succeeded in the commercialization of the first lithium-ion secondary batteries (LIB). In 1994 he received technical awards from the Electrochemical Societies of both Japan and the United States in recognition of his contributions to LIB technology. In 2014, Dr. Nishi was awarded the Draper Prize by the National Academy of Engineering for pioneering and leading the groundwork for today’s lithium-ion battery. Since the early 1990s, LIBs were introduced into various mobile devices and we were reasonably confident that our customers would be satisfied with their performance. Shortly afterwards, however, we noticed that there were some discrepancies between the performance we offered and that expected by our customers. Dr. Nishi will discuss here what LIB users really require from secondary batteries.

2:05 Global Electrification and LG Chem

Denise GrayDenise Gray, CEO, LG Chem Power

Denise Gray is President/CEO of LG Chem Power Inc. (LGCPI), the North American subsidiary of lithium-ion battery maker, LG Chem (LGC), Korea. In this position, she has overall responsibility for the strategic direction, engineering, and business development activities for the North American market. The majority of her professional career, nearly 30 years, was spent at General Motors in the USA. Director of Battery Systems Engineering, Director of Transmission Controls Engineering, Director of Powertrain Controller Engineering, Director of Powertrain Software Engineering, and development of powertrain and vehicle electrical systems were her core engineering responsibilities. A review of the current global trends in vehicle electrification and automotive battery technologies will be presented. This will be carried out highlighting LG Chem’s participation in the various segments from materials, cell and cost points of view.

2:25 Addressing Key Battery Issues from a Thermodynamics Perspective

Rachid_YazamiRachid Yazami, PhD, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Program Director, Energy Storage, Energy Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Rachid Yazami is a French Morrocan scientist best known for his research on lithium-ion batteries and on fluoride-ion batteries. He is the inventor of the graphite anode (negative pole) of lithium-ion batteries. In 2014 Rachid Yazami, John Goodenough, Yoshio Nishi and Akira Yoshino were awarded the Draper Prize by the National Academy of Engineering for pioneering and leading the groundwork for today’s lithium-ion battery. In this presentation, we will show how online thermodynamics data collection and processing addresses the SOC and SOH determination. We found a universal rule, which applies to all LIB tested at any SOH (ageing), that is the SOC is a linear function of entropy and enthalpy. Linearity coefficients are LIB chemistry and SOH dependent. Therefore, the thermodynamics assessment method teaches on the type of cathode material and on the degree of anode and cathode degradation as the battery ages.

2:45 Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

3:30 Close of High Performance Battery Manufacturing