By Anthony David
Lithium Manganese Dioxide (LMD) batteries have 4% lithium, 61% manganese and 35% oxygen by atomic weight. Their high power output, low production cost, enhanced safety and thermal stability in comparison to other lithium ion batteries have made LMD batteries very attractive in the electric vehicle market. LMD batteries are already being used by the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf.
In 2011, researchers at the University of Illinois used lithiated manganese to create an advanced prototype battery that can be recharged in just two minutes. This is an outstanding achievement given that recharging time is one of the major obstacles in the electric vehicle market.
Early last year, American Manganese Inc. expanded its research scope with British Columbia based Kemetco Research Inc. by including more high value products such as LMD, electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) and electrolytic manganese metal (EMM). Larry Reaugh, President and CEO of the company, said, “The company is positioned to take a leading role in providing products to the emerging rechargeable battery market. The manganese extraction process is well suited to produce any or all of the high value added manganese products including LMD.”
In a recent status report, Kemetco is reported to have successfully completed its pilot plant testing and is soon expected to begin production of EMD which will be used to produce lithiated manganese powder for the battery industry.
Earlier this month, General Motors signed a worldwide licensing agreement with Argonne National Labs to use the new advanced patented cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. The new material contains an oxide mix of lithium, manganese and cobalt. The unique feature of the material is that it can have a higher specific energy, which translates to lower cost per unit weight. The new material will be used in the next generation of Volt and make them less expensive.
Micky Bly, GM executive director – Electric Systems, Hybrids, Electric Vehicles and Batteries said, “Engineers and researchers at General Motors are working on next-generation battery systems that will reduce cost while providing improved performance, expanding the practicality and affordability of electric vehicles in the future.”
A report by IDTechEx estimates that 30 million electric vehicles were sold in 2011 and that number is expected to reach 50 million by 2021. The numbers forecast a golden period for the EMM market.
According to a report released by the CPM Group, a commodities research and consulting company, the global demand for EMM is expected to reach about 2.8 million tonnes by 2021 from the 1.5 million tonnes today. China controls 98% of the EMM market and its share of the demand is expected to increase from 87% to 89% over the next decade. And in the manganese market as a whole, the EMD segment for the battery industry is going to see the fastest growth.
Source: criticalstrategicmetals
