BATTERIES: Australian companies, academia working on fast-charge batteries

AUSTRALIA - Nanotechnology company VSPC, a 100%-owned subsidiary of Lithium Australia, together with CSIRO, the University of Queensland (UQ) and Soluna is taking part in an A$5-million government-funded program to develop fast-charge lithium-ion batteries for use in new-generation trams. In a press release, Lithium Australia said that battery-powered trams eliminate the need for overhead power lines, which are expensive, visually polluting and potentially hazardous. “As well as expertise in the design of lithium-ion batteries, CSIRO already has specific experience and intellectual property relating to fast-charge batteries for application in trams and other forms of transport such as e-buses, ferries and military applications,” the media brief states. “VSPC will partner with battery researchers at CSIRO’s Clayton site in Victoria to design, manufacture and test fast-charge lithium-ion battery prototypes.” In parallel, Lithium Australia’s subsidiary will work with the UQ team on both the characterization and optimization of its battery materials. “This project is a tremendous opportunity to bring together Australia’s technological capabilities – including VSPC’s advanced cathode materials, CSIRO’s battery expertise and UQ’s analytical abilities – to develop new battery systems using VSPC cathode material,” VSPC executive director, Mike Vaisey, said in a statement. “Light rail is experiencing a resurgence worldwide as cities modernize, and fast-charge batteries are critical to avoiding the poles and wires of the past.” This story originally appeared on www.Mining.com.