Jul 16 2008
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded nGimat a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I to develop electrode nanomaterials for high-performance Lithium-ion batteries that will be used to power the next generation of hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV). In the award notification the DOE stated "this project will develop a critical component of Lithium-ion batteries that will power next generation Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Automobiles powered by batteries containing this component will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, [reduce] pollution caused by harmful automobile emissions, and strengthen global competitiveness of the U.S. automobile industry".
To this end, nGimat will use its proprietary NanoSpray CombustionTM process to develop nanomaterials that are expected to have significantly higher power-density than conventional Lithium-ion batteries and significantly higher energy-density than conventional Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries that are currently in use in HEVs. The NanoSpray Combustion process has been widely used to develop a variety of metal-oxide and metal-phosphate nanomaterials and nGimat will now extend the process in a cost effective manner to develop high-performance electrode nanomaterials for the next generation of Lithium-ion batteries.
In the Phase I effort, nGimat will develop a family of metal-oxide based anode materials that will be optimized for power density. The performance of these materials will be demonstrated in prototype batteries. Potential Phase II and Phase III programs would focus on scaling up production of the nanomaterials, developing larger Lithium-ion batteries and developing strategic alliances with our customer industry partners.
Through its core technology of NanoSpray Combustion Processing, nGimat is a cost-effective manufacturer and innovator of nanoEngineered MaterialsSM in the following areas: nanopowders, thin films and devices. The Company currently has a portfolio of 46 U.S. patents, 71 non-U.S. patents, and is processing about 65 patent applications. For more information about the company, please visit www.ngimat.com.