Tesla Motors Canada ULC filed a new patent for improved lithium battery chemistry on December 26, 2019. Interesting Engineering reports this could improve performance of both grid storage and electric transport. Moreover, the patent claims “the battery system has 95% retention of initial capacity after 200 cycles’. However, this was achieved at 40°C between 3.0 V and 4.3 V during the test. The key elements include dioxazolone and nitrile sulfite compounds. Could be the birth of Elon Musk’s promised million mile battery?
New Electrolyte Features Dioxazolone and Nitrile Sulfite Compounds
Many lithium battery failures relate to limitations at the aqueous electrolyte. Ongoing research is thus increasingly focusing on non-liquid, solid versions. Therefore it makes sense the latest Tesla patent features a non-aqueous electrolyte too.
This particular electrolyte features lithium salts, non-aqueous solvents, and one or more operative additives. These additives include dioxazolone and nitrile sulfite composites which appear to be the active ingredients. However, only time will tell if this new chemistry delivers a more durable and lasting battery to the market.
How Open-Source Will This Patent Be in Practice?
Tesla’s latest patent uses lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese-oxide chemistry previously bypassed by the company, but favored its competition. Elon Musk’s 2014 ‘open-sourcing pledge’ puts all Tesla’s patents in the public domain but there are restrictions.
Elon Musk’s avowed intention is to help the electric vehicle market roll out faster. However, Lexology reminds us there are several caveats to this. Beneficiaries may not claim intellectual or property rights against Tesla. Nor may they do so against third parties using its patent ideas.
Therefore, anybody using the technology contained in this patent could weaken protection of their own intellectual property rights. They should also be careful not to violate any of the conditions of the open sourcing pledge. And moreover think twice before developing a knock-off product imitating or copying the idea.
Related
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Million Mile Batteries by Tesla on Horizon
Preview Image: Tesla Giga Factory
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