Everything's coming up batteries. Over in Ann Arbor, MI, the University of Michigan is announcing a new lab to test out new battery chemistries and concepts, all with an eye towards building better electric cars. The basic idea is to see if these "experimental battery chemistries" will work on a small scale before automakers and suppliers build a whole bunch of them. The lab is scheduled to open next fall and will be available to "any automotive or non-automotive firm," according to The Detroit News.
Ford is investing $2.1 million in the $8-million facility, the only automaker to contribute money. The rest of the money comes from the University of Michigan, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the US Department of Energy. Ford says it wants to use the lab to "develop batteries that are smaller, lighter and less expensive to produce." We assume that means any future Focus Electric models - which start at $35,200 - will carry something less than the $18,000 price premium over the lowest-cost standard gas Focus, which can be had for $16,605. In the press release, available below, Ford's battery research manager, Ted Miller, basically admits the company's battery development process to this point hasn't been up to snuff. "We have battery labs that test and validate production-ready batteries, but that is too late in the development process for us to get our first look," he said.
The University of Michigan also has a connection to one of Ford's main rivals, General Motors. GM Ventures (along with the MEDC) invested an undisclosed amount of money in solid-state li-ion battery technology developer Sakti3, which was founded by former U of M professor Ann Marie Sastry. Sastry left U of M in 2012, the year Sakti3 was named one of the "Top 50 Most Innovative Companies" by MIT's Technology Review Magazine.
Ford is investing $2.1 million in the $8-million facility, the only automaker to contribute money. The rest of the money comes from the University of Michigan, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the US Department of Energy. Ford says it wants to use the lab to "develop batteries that are smaller, lighter and less expensive to produce." We assume that means any future Focus Electric models - which start at $35,200 - will carry something less than the $18,000 price premium over the lowest-cost standard gas Focus, which can be had for $16,605. In the press release, available below, Ford's battery research manager, Ted Miller, basically admits the company's battery development process to this point hasn't been up to snuff. "We have battery labs that test and validate production-ready batteries, but that is too late in the development process for us to get our first look," he said.
The University of Michigan also has a connection to one of Ford's main rivals, General Motors. GM Ventures (along with the MEDC) invested an undisclosed amount of money in solid-state li-ion battery technology developer Sakti3, which was founded by former U of M professor Ann Marie Sastry. Sastry left U of M in 2012, the year Sakti3 was named one of the "Top 50 Most Innovative Companies" by MIT's Technology Review Magazine.
Ford, University of Michigan Create New Kind of Battery Lab to Speed Development of Future Electrified Vehicles
Oct 14, 2013 | Ann Arbor, Mich.
World-class facility at the University of Michigan allows Ford to collaborate with battery cell manufacturers, suppliers, university researchers and startups to test new battery concepts on a small scale that could be replicated for full production
Facility will make it possible for Ford to build on 20 years of battery research, and to test experimental battery chemistries while reducing the risk and cost to suppliers
Ford is the only automaker to invest in the new battery lab facility; latest collaboration builds on a 60-year history between Ford and the University of Michigan
A new $8 million battery lab opened today at the University of Michigan that will help Ford develop batteries that are smaller, lighter and less expensive to produce. The work could accelerate development of battery-powered vehicles that are more efficient and affordable than today's models and that go farther on a single charge.
The lab is a battery manufacturing facility designed to support pilot projects. State-of-the-art manufacturing methods will be used to make test batteries that replicate the performance of full-scale production batteries, allowing for faster implementation in future production vehicles.
"We have battery labs that test and validate production-ready batteries, but that is too late in the development process for us to get our first look," said Ted Miller, who manages battery research for Ford. "This lab will give us a stepping-stone between the research lab and the production environment, and a chance to have input much earlier in the development process. This is sorely needed, and no one else in the auto industry has anything like it."
The lab is the result of collaboration between Ford, battery suppliers, the University of Michigan, and the state and federal governments, and it holds the potential for major advancements in extending battery life and durability. Ford, the only automaker to invest in the facility, contributed $2.1 million. Other investors include the University of Michigan, Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Ford has been supporting battery research for more than 20 years. Last year, the company invested $135 million in design, engineering and production of key battery components, and doubled its battery testing capabilities. Ford was able to accelerate durability testing, with test batteries now accumulating 150,000 miles and 10 years' life in about 10 months.
Even so, battery development is in its infancy, and more research is needed. Just as critical, said Miller, is the need for new chemistries to be assessed in a credible cell format, which means small-scale battery cells can be tested in place of full-scale production batteries without compromising the test results.
"It is way too early in the battery race to commit to one type of battery chemistry," said Miller. "In the span of 15 years, the industry has gone from lead-acid to nickel-metal-hydride to the lithium-ion batteries used in Ford C-MAX and Ford Fusion hybrids on the road today. Others in the auto industry have placed their bets, but we are convinced a better solution will require input from a multitude of partners."
Ford's electrified vehicle lineup includes five models equipped with advanced lithium-ion batteries. Earlier-generation vehicles featured nickel-metal-hydride batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are about 25 percent to 30 percent smaller, and can provide about three times the power per cell of nickel-metal-hydride batteries.
Miller said locating the lab on a university campus will be a draw for battery suppliers to work on complex problems in a common environment. "We need to work on these problems together in a neutral lab setting," he said. "This way, we all win. I think you are going to see a lot of companies in the battery supply chain come to Michigan to use this facility, in very short order.
"This is important for the state of Michigan, too," Miller added. "Previous investments have been focused on battery production, and now our state becomes a research core for batteries. The University of Michigan benefits, because the best and brightest from car companies, suppliers and academia will come here. In turn, that will attract the best students. We need to nurture the next generation of battery scientists, and it helps Ford that the campus is less than 40 miles from Dearborn."
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 177,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit corporate.ford.com.
Oct 14, 2013 | Ann Arbor, Mich.
World-class facility at the University of Michigan allows Ford to collaborate with battery cell manufacturers, suppliers, university researchers and startups to test new battery concepts on a small scale that could be replicated for full production
Facility will make it possible for Ford to build on 20 years of battery research, and to test experimental battery chemistries while reducing the risk and cost to suppliers
Ford is the only automaker to invest in the new battery lab facility; latest collaboration builds on a 60-year history between Ford and the University of Michigan
A new $8 million battery lab opened today at the University of Michigan that will help Ford develop batteries that are smaller, lighter and less expensive to produce. The work could accelerate development of battery-powered vehicles that are more efficient and affordable than today's models and that go farther on a single charge.
The lab is a battery manufacturing facility designed to support pilot projects. State-of-the-art manufacturing methods will be used to make test batteries that replicate the performance of full-scale production batteries, allowing for faster implementation in future production vehicles.
"We have battery labs that test and validate production-ready batteries, but that is too late in the development process for us to get our first look," said Ted Miller, who manages battery research for Ford. "This lab will give us a stepping-stone between the research lab and the production environment, and a chance to have input much earlier in the development process. This is sorely needed, and no one else in the auto industry has anything like it."
The lab is the result of collaboration between Ford, battery suppliers, the University of Michigan, and the state and federal governments, and it holds the potential for major advancements in extending battery life and durability. Ford, the only automaker to invest in the facility, contributed $2.1 million. Other investors include the University of Michigan, Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Ford has been supporting battery research for more than 20 years. Last year, the company invested $135 million in design, engineering and production of key battery components, and doubled its battery testing capabilities. Ford was able to accelerate durability testing, with test batteries now accumulating 150,000 miles and 10 years' life in about 10 months.
Even so, battery development is in its infancy, and more research is needed. Just as critical, said Miller, is the need for new chemistries to be assessed in a credible cell format, which means small-scale battery cells can be tested in place of full-scale production batteries without compromising the test results.
"It is way too early in the battery race to commit to one type of battery chemistry," said Miller. "In the span of 15 years, the industry has gone from lead-acid to nickel-metal-hydride to the lithium-ion batteries used in Ford C-MAX and Ford Fusion hybrids on the road today. Others in the auto industry have placed their bets, but we are convinced a better solution will require input from a multitude of partners."
Ford's electrified vehicle lineup includes five models equipped with advanced lithium-ion batteries. Earlier-generation vehicles featured nickel-metal-hydride batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are about 25 percent to 30 percent smaller, and can provide about three times the power per cell of nickel-metal-hydride batteries.
Miller said locating the lab on a university campus will be a draw for battery suppliers to work on complex problems in a common environment. "We need to work on these problems together in a neutral lab setting," he said. "This way, we all win. I think you are going to see a lot of companies in the battery supply chain come to Michigan to use this facility, in very short order.
"This is important for the state of Michigan, too," Miller added. "Previous investments have been focused on battery production, and now our state becomes a research core for batteries. The University of Michigan benefits, because the best and brightest from car companies, suppliers and academia will come here. In turn, that will attract the best students. We need to nurture the next generation of battery scientists, and it helps Ford that the campus is less than 40 miles from Dearborn."
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 177,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit corporate.ford.com.
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