Novolyte Technologies and Great Lakes Energy Institute at CWRU Awarded Ohio Third Frontier Funding to Develop Electrolytes for Next-gen Lithium-ion Batteries
INDEPENDENCE, OH – DEC. 21, 2009 – Novolyte Technologies, Inc., in collaboration with the Great Lakes Energy Institute at Case Western Reserve University, was awarded $1.12 million in Ohio Third Frontier funding to develop and commercialize advanced electrolyte materials for next-generation Lithium-ion batteries. Novolyte will develop novel electrolytes to significantly improve the performance and safety of Lithium-ion batteries, which will expedite their commercialization. The Ohio Third Frontier Advanced Energy Program supports research and development in the state that addresses the technical and cost barriers to commercialization of advanced energy components and systems.
Electrolytes are mixtures of solvents and conductive salts that make up the liquid part of the battery and are instrumental in its performance. Electrolyte solutions are used in both disposable and rechargeable lithium batteries that go into a variety of devices including pacemakers, portable electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptop computers, and newly developing electric and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).
In HEVs, Lithium-ion batteries are superior to the nickel-metal hydride or lead-acid batteries currently used because they offer higher voltage, greater energy density, and longer life, which allow an auto to be lighter weight and go farther. Novolyte is currently the only North American company manufacturing electrolytes for lithium batteries and markets its high-purity electrolytes under the Purolyte® brand.
"The Ohio Third Frontier funding will further our efforts in working with Case Western Reserve University and battery manufacturing leaders to meet the future needs of the industry," said Ed Frindt, Novolyte CEO. "This grant supports our key growth area for the future."
Dianne Anderson, Executive Director, Great Lakes Energy Institute at Case Western Reserve University, said, "Energy storage is an important area of focus in the current U.S. renewable program, both on its own, for electric transportation systems, and in support of integrating intermittent generation sources like wind and solar onto the grid."
"Our research focus will be on improving the performance of the battery such as cycle life, operating temperature range, or safety," noted Dr. Barry Misquitta, Vice President of Energy Storage for Novolyte. "Our collaboration with Dr. Daniel Scherson and others at the Great Lakes Energy Institute, coupled with the Third Frontier funding, will leverage our capabilities and accelerate commercialization of advanced lithium-ion batteries."
About Great Lakes Energy Institute
Great Lakes Energy Institute is a resource for academia, industry, government, and educators. Created with a $3.6 million grant from The Cleveland Foundation, the Institute is a multi-disciplinary center that is led by researchers at the Case School of Engineering and utilizes the rich resources and expertise of all of the graduate and professional schools at Case Western Reserve University, which is located in Cleveland, Ohio. Its mission is to enable the transition to advanced sustainable energy generation, storage, distribution and utilization, through coordinated research, development and education.
The Case School of Engineering traces its work in energy advancement to the 1930s, when it became an acclaimed leader in electrochemistry research for fuel cells. Since then, the school has broadened its interests to develop strengths in many other essential energy-related disciplines: advanced materials; wind energy, power informatics and control; energy conversion and storage; and solar.
About Novolyte Technologies, Inc.
Novolyte is one of the world's leading manufacturers of specialty electrolyte materials, high-performance solvents, aryl phosphines and technically demanding, custom manufactured products. Novolyte is the largest North American producer of primary and secondary lithium battery electrolytes as well as ultracapacitor solutions. The company has been manufacturing specialty materials for over 50 years and holds a substantial global market position.
Novolyte manufactures its electrolyte products from facilities located in Baton Rouge, LA and Suzhou, China. In addition to its production capabilities, Novolyte maintains technical centers in Independence, OH and Suzhou, China to perform engineering support and product development for its lithium ion battery customers' specific performance requirements. Novolyte, previously Ferro Fine Chemicals Division, is headquartered in Independence, OH.