AMS Investment Pitch
Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) have more power and energy density than other battery chemistries commercially available. They are universally used in cell phones, laptops and PDAs. Because of their light weight and high energy density, they will be replacing the NiMH batteries (Energy Storage Unit) used in the current HEVs, therefore, they are one of the key components of the Green Energy Policy.
Lithium is very reactive; therefore in addition to cost and performance, safety has been a major concern and delay of lithium ion usage in electric drive vehicle applications.
In order to improve the safety and performance of lithium ion batteries, battery manufacturers primarily have been tinkering with cathodes, anodes and electrolytes. They have achieved limited improvements that contributed to the safety of lithium ion batteries, but with prohibitive costs.
The battery separator is another component of each cell. It separates cathodes from anodes, is a reservoir for electrolyte and without changing other components it could also have a major impact on the performance, cost and safety of lithium ion batteries.
Advanced Membrane Systems or AMS is a developer of micro-porous membranes. AMS has developed a groundbreaking membrane as a battery separator for lithium ion batteries (Patent Pending). This new battery separator addresses both cycle life performance, safety and cost requirements of lithium ion batteries in general and those used in electric drive vehicles (EVs) in particular. Each EV battery pack may need 100-200 square meters of separator material.
Internal short circuits are major safety issues of lithium ion cells for EVs (in the case of car accidents). There are two nail penetration videos simulating internal short circuits that compare the safety of the most commonly used lithium ion cells (called 18650). The first clip is the cell made with the best competitors separator available in the market and the second clip is the cell made using AMS new separator. These video clips are on youtube and can be watched from the following links:
• 18650 LIB cell made with control separator (This cell was made with the best competitors separator). As soon as the nail penetrates the cell explodes.
• 18650 LIB cell made with AMS separator (This cell was made with AMS separator). After nail penetration, it did not explode and had a delay of 60 seconds before venting.
Cycle life tests also indicate that AMS new separator can give 5X more cycle life than the competitors.
The market for lithium ion battery separators used in consumer electronics is ~ $1 billion/yr and growing. The same market for the emerging electric drive vehicles is suppose to surpass $1 billion/yr within the next 3-5 years. There are only a few major separator suppliers worldwide (Celgard, Asahi, Tonen and Entek).
AMS has contacted most elective drive battery manufacturers in the U.S., such as, A123Sytems, EnerDel and Saft. They are anxious to test and qualify AMS new battery separator. In order to make production sample rolls for qualification by potential lithium ion battery producers, AMS is working with an equipment manufacturer to set up a small manufacturing plant for the production of this new product. This plant can be completed within 6 months. AMS is looking for $2-4 million in venture funding to produce and market its breakthrough product. This small production plant will be used as a model for large-scale manufacturing.
AMS team collectively has over 100 years of experience in this field. AMS products/technologies are backed by many existing and pending patents.
AMS R&D and pilot facility is located in N. Billerica, MA (near Boston).
For more information contact:
Garrin Samii, Vice President
Advanced Membrane Systems, Inc.
34 Sullivan Road, Unit 24
N. Billerica, MA 01862
USA
Phone: 978-439-9261, Mobile: 617-875-6178
Email: [email protected]