. @benchmarkmin breakdown of #Quantumscape & solid state batteries incoming.
If this succeeds commercially, it will not result in additional lithium demand, despite ‘anode-less*’ approach
*in-situ lithium metal being deposited and creating the anode internally on first charge
Anodeless: #Quantumscape could save anywhere between 10-15% cost by eliminating the need for an anode in manufacturing.
Many different cost models per chemistry can alter %s.
... but large contract anodes range from $6/kg to $16/kg (synthetic graphite) @benchmarkmin
What could result in 🔼 lithium demand is #Quantumscape’s electrolyte / separator: likely to be a “lithium stuffed garnet”which uses one or more of:
> lithium (hydroxide, carbonate)
> zircon
> Tantalum
> Lanthanum (rare earth series)
All speciality chemicals, not cheap
To make this special membrane central to #Quantumscape’s plan, it would start with:
1. Making a Lithium Slurry
A slurry from a “source of lithium” from the following:
“LiF, LiCl, LiBr, LiOH, Li2CO3, Li2O, Li2O2, lithium-stuffed garnet, Li(s), and combinations thereof”
2. Milling the lithium slurry
Using classic fine grinding mill techniques such as jet mill, ball milling, etc
The milling appears a key step and depending on what #QuantumScape choose, a different product will come out the other end Ie particle size.
3. Pasting the lithium slurry onto a substrate and baking it
Like classic way anodes are baked into copper, #Quantumscape’s lithium slurry will pasted onto either:
“Al, Ni, Cu, Au, Ag, Fe, steel, stainless steel, Li, alloys thereof”
4. Burning off the film
Once the lithium slurry is cast onto the substrate a film is formed. This film must be burned off potential in two steps 1) calcined off at 300C to 1,000C and then 2) sintering at 1100C for 15 mins to 2 hours
5. Creation of a sintered lithium stuffed garnet film
A new material that has a porosity of less than 10% by volume
Footnote of interest: #Quantumscape membranes are baked on a “setter plate” made of the following raw materials:
“YSZ, graphite, Mg—SZ, zirconia, SiO2, Al2O3, nickel, lithium-stuffed garnet, a sacrificial lithium-stuffed garnet film, LiAlO2, LiLaO2, or Li2ZrO3.”
The #Quantumscape patents basically show a number of possible production processes. The combos centre on
1. Input raw materials to lithium slurry
2. The choice of milling
Time for a ☕️
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