The UK Government’s ISCF Faraday Battery Challenge initiative granted Talga Resources (ASX) funding to develop a graphitic anode for solid-state batteries. The award was channeled through the miner’s UK subsidiary Talga Technologies.
The project’s goal is to create a new high-capacity graphitic carbon composite anode, called Talnode-E, designed to charge faster and have higher power than existing models. The material is also envisioned to have easier processability, safer handling, highly scalable industrial manufacturing lower costs.
While solid-state batteries are theoretically capable of very high performance, in practice, they don’t exceed all of the performance and economic requirements of today’s best Li-ion batteries in EVs
With the funding received, Talga would be able to work on its “Cathodes, anodes, and solid-state electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries” project and get reimbursed for 70% of its eligible costs, including salaries, consumables, equipment and contractor expenses.
According to the Australian company, the idea came about after its innovation team realized that while solid-state batteries are theoretically capable of very high performance, in practice, they don’t exceed all of the performance and economic requirements of today’s best Li-ion batteries in EVs.
“A major bottleneck of solid-state development is the anode, where the use of metallic lithium can cause a range of issues leading to slower charge/discharge characteristics, safety issues both within the battery and in mass production, and higher cost,” the firm said in a media statement.
In Talga’s view, its proposed Talnode-E can overcome these issues.
Managing Director Mark Thompson said in the media brief that the firm has already attained non-disclosure agreements with leading electronic and automotive companies looking to test its anodes, which will be produced with its 100%-owned Swedish graphite supply.