RE: STRATEGIC METALS Nice tx
Next generation :)
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.