Williams Exhibit World’S Rootage Sodium-Ion Powered Vehicle
Williams Advanced Engineering yesterday played host to a media effect that saw the commencement world demonstration of a sodium-ion powered vehicle. Developed past times British battery start-up trouble solid Faradion inward collaboration amongst Williams Advanced Engineering too Oxford University, this engineering was demonstrated inward an e-bike application every bit a proof-of-concept to showcase the capabilities of this novel type of battery chemistry.
The projection to demonstrate sodium-ion battery engineering has been part-funded past times Innovate UK, the UK’s conception means inward its latest contest for ‘disruptive technologies inward depression carbon vehicles’. Although lithium-ion batteries are currently the predominant engineering inward electrical too hybrid vehicles, every bit good every bit liberate energy storage applications, sodium-ion has the potential to offering cost, security too sourcing benefits. The base of operations materials required for sodium-ion batteries are to a greater extent than easily sourced than those needed for lithium-ion batteries, which are exclusively constitute inward a express reveal of markets some the world. Sodium salts used inward sodium-ion batteries tin endure made from mutual salt, which is to a greater extent than abundant than lithium salt, too likewise available inside the UK, providing possibilities for a British battery render chain.
As a proof-of-concept, the cells for the e-bike convey been manufactured to endure larger than necessary, which helps to avoid unnecessary costs too lengthy manufacturing processes at this early on stage. When optimised, the cells volition endure comparable inward size to lithium-ion battery packs already on the market. As such, at that topographic point is potential to exploit the engineering for purpose inward a broad hit of electrical too hybrid vehicles, every bit good every bit liberate energy storage applications.
The e-bike battery pack is made upwardly of 4 12-cell modules that were designed too manufactured past times Williams Advanced Engineering too controlled past times a Williams designed battery administration system. Williams is a proven leader inward the pattern too industry of battery liberate energy storage technology, having developed batteries for the Formula eastward electrical racing series, Jaguar C-X75 hybrid supercar, too the Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) that helped mightiness the company’s Formula One racing cars from 2011-2013. Oxford University’s expertise has been used to maximise battery life too it is expected that every bit good every bit comparable performance, sodium-ion cells tin offering a comparable lifetime to lithium-ion products.
Paul McNamara, Technical Director of Williams Advanced Engineering, said; “Williams Advanced Engineering has a history of conception inward lithium-ion battery engineering for a hit of dissimilar applications too whilst lithium-ion is nonetheless the dominant alternative of chemistry, sodium-ion is a fascinating alternative that could convey existent benefits inward terms of terms too availability. We convey worked closely amongst Faradion too Oxford University to explore its potential too today was most showcasing the concept inward a existent globe application for the commencement time.”
More: Faradion
