July 29, 2021: Five well-known US lead battery firms have formed a research group with the Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Toledo to improve battery cycling efficiency, BCI announced on July 29.

Clarios, Crown Battery, EnerSys, East Penn Manufacturing and Ecobat are joining up to improve the efficiency and lead to longer-life batteries ‘as new applications emerge in an increasingly decarbonized market’, BCI says.

“This new research is unique because it is focused on improving the performance of advanced lead batteries, which are fully recyclable, and for which recycling capacity already exists in the US,” the BCI says.

Cora Lind-Kovacs, professor in the UToledo Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, will work with Argonne’s Material Science division, which will lead the research over the next two years.

It will conduct an atomic-level examination of the organic materials used in expanders to extend battery life by improving their cycling efficiency.

Specifically, the programme will study the atomic structure of lignosulfonate molecules to improve or replace them with other naturally derived elements.

Understanding the interactions between lead, lead sulfate and lignosulfonates, according to the research, is key to guiding the design of additive molecules that can aid with fast charging and thus prolonging the life of the battery.

In turn this has benefits for long-duration storage — a vital attribute for lead batteries if they are to remain competitive as demand grows in more and more applications.

“This partnership can help industry meet society’s demanding requirements in vital industries like transportation and electric power,” said US representative Marcy Kaptur, chair of the US House Appropriations Energy and Water Development Subcomittee and instrumental in bringing the parties together.

“UToledo’s chemistry department will bring their expertise to help meet the growing need for more efficient and sustainable rechargeable batteries to support a changing economy.”