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NEWS
Ford and Samsung's battery tech collaboration
New alliance develops hybrid lead-acid/lithium-ion battery for non-hybrid applicationsThe first fruits of joint research by Ford and Samsung SDI have led to the development of a new battery that combines lead-acid and lithium-ion technology.
According to the car company's press material, the 'dual battery' system is a further step forward in reducing fuel use. The culmination of a 10-year project, the battery works in conjunction with Ford's auto-stop/start system and regenerative braking to keep ancillaries running while the vehicle is halted and the engine is not running. Ford believes the new battery will offer fuel-saving benefits for cars featuring conventional (ie: non-hybrid) drivetrain systems. It's a different slant on the capacitor-based 'i-ELOOP' technology developed by Mazda for the Mazda6.
"We are currently expanding our Auto Start-Stop technology across 70 per cent of our line-up, and this dual-battery system has the potential to bring even more levels of hybridisation to our vehicles for greater energy savings across the board," said Ted Miller, senior manager, Energy Storage Strategy and Research, Ford Motor Company.
"Although still in research, this type of battery could provide a near-term solution for greater reduction of carbon dioxide."
Keeping air conditioning, audio and other powered comfort or convenience features operating while the engine is switched off has posed a challenge for some of the world's car manufacturers. The Mazda system works well, but other vehicles deplete the battery charge so quickly that the engine restarts much sooner than ideal to keep the battery charged. It's less a matter of the ancillaries using too much power than the battery capacity being inadequate for the task.
In addition to the dual battery system, Ford and Samsung are working on an ultra-lightweight lithium-ion battery that could succeed lead-acid batteries in due course.
"Lithium-ion batteries are typically used in consumer electronics because they are lighter and more energy-dense than other types of batteries, which also make them ideal for the vehicle," said Mike O'Sullivan, vice president, Automotive Battery Systems for Samsung SDI North America.
"Battery technology is advancing rapidly and lithium-ion could one day completely replace traditional 12-volt lead-acid batteries, providing better fuel efficiency for drivers."
In addition to energy density, lithium-ion also offers packaging and weight-saving efficiencies. Ford claims that li-ion batters are between 25 and 30 per cent smaller than nickel-metal hydride batteries such as those fitted to the Toyota Prius. The energy density is up to three times greater too.
An ultra-lightweight battery employing li-ion technology would be up to 40 per cent lighter.
The battery research – and particularly the lightweight lithium-ion technology – dovetails with Ford's Lightweight Concept car as a hint of what's in store for saving the environment in the next few years.
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Written byCarsales Staff
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