As IT mobile devices become ubiquitous, consumer demand for a longer use continues to rise. Currently, lithium-ion secondary batteries are widely used in various mobile IT devices and electric vehicles, and fast charging technology for lithium-ion batteries is essential to meet the ever-increasing consumer demand.
Increasing power consumption and capacity of electronic devices have stimulated the development of fast charging technologies, mostly for smartphones. In general, charging speed can be improved by using a higher voltage and current during charging, and output is controlled to an appropriate level based on the general usage of electronic devices and batteries. Recently, technologies allowing device-charger communication during charging have made great advances and improved charging speed.
The charging method of electric vehicles can use three types: direct charging in which energy is supplied through a plug, replacement type in which a battery is periodically replaced, and non-contact charging in which batteries are charged by transmitting energy through electromagnetic induction. The most common direct charging methods can be further divided into slow and fast charging. Fast charging uses direct current and features a faster charging speed than slow charging. The current charging technology of the electric vehicle battery industry is capable of charging up to 80% of battery capacity within 20 to 30 minutes. Fast charging can completely charge most batteries in 6 hours. It is faster than slow charging method, but still significantly longer than the time required to fill up the gas tanks of conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
The current fast charging technologies for lithium-ion secondary batteries suffer from energy density loss, limiting their industrial applications. To realize commercially viable fast charging technology, new approaches for design and development of novel and innovative battery materials, based on a fundamental understanding of the electrochemical reaction mechanisms governing the charging process. During fast charging, lithium ions need to be rapidly extracted in the cathode oxide crystal structure and required performance parameters for anode materials include a low discharge potential, high unit weight, and specific capacity per unit volume. Besides graphite anodes, which are widely used in small-sized lithium-ion batteries, next-generation anode materials need to be developed to ensure a high capacity, safety, and durability of batteries.
In this report, we will overview the most recent status of fast charging technologies, battery materials, and cell technologies, and provide trends and outlooks of fast charging technologies for IT devices and electric vehicles by country and manufacturer.
The strong points of this report include,
① Comprehensive overview of the concept of charging and fast charging technology
② Discussion on the technological issues related to fast charging, battery materials, cells, and electrode design
③ Summary of fast charging technology trends by country and manufacturer
④ Examples of industrial applications of fast charging technologies by major manufacturer ⑤ Fast charging-related technologies and patent analysis
Also, this report presents information essential to keep up with the rapidly evolving fast charging technologies.
- Contents -
1. Understanding charging technology
1.1. Charger technology
1.1.1. Charger overview
1.1.2. Chargers for device power supply
1.1.3. Charging via USB specification
1.1.4. Charges for direct battery charging
1.2. Wireless charging technologies
1.2.1. Overview
1.2.2. Magnetic induction type
1.2.3. Resonance induction type
1.2.4. Magnetic vs. Resonance induction type
1.2.5. Pros and cons of wireless charging technology
2. Understanding fast charging technology
2.1. Fast charging technologies for mobile IT devices
2.1.1. Power conversion technology
2.1.2. Power transmission technology
2.1.3. Power I/C technology
2.1.4. Charging algorithm technology
2.1.5. Battery technologies for fast charging
2.2. Understanding fast charging technologies for electric vehicles
2.2.1. Charing type comparison: Slow vs. Fast
2.2.2. Electric vehicle fast charging technology scope and issues
2.2.2.1 Wireless charging technology
2.2.2.2 Battery replacement type
2.2.2.3 Fast charging battery technologies
2.2.3. Fast charging network
2.2.3.1 PORSCHE MISSION E concept
2.2.3.2 ABB TERRA HP program
2.2.3.3 CONTINENTAL ALLCHARGE program
2.2.3.4 Toshiba SciB Battery program
3. Materials and cell technologies for fast charging batteries
3.1. Cathode material technologies for fast charging batteries
3.1.1 Operation principles and requirements for lithium-ion battery cathode
3.1.2 Layered cathode materials
3.1.2.1 LCO/NCA
3.1.2.2 NCM electrodes
3.1.2.3 NCM cathode material-based fast charging technology (1)
3.1.2.4 NCM cathode material-based fast charging technology (2)
3.1.3 Spinel cathode materials
3.1.3.1 Spinel cathode materials
3.1.3.2 Spinel cathode material-based fast charging technologies
3.1.4 Transition metal phosphate
3.1.4.1 Transition metal phosphate
3.1.4.2 Transition metal phosphate cathode materials
3.2. Anode materials technology for fast charging batteries
3.2.1 Graphite
3.2.2 Amorphous Carbon
3.2.3 Metal Anodes (non-carbon anodes)
3.2.4 Lithium Titanate (LTO)
3.2.5 High-potential oxide anodes
3.3. Electrolyte technologies for fast charging batteries
3.3.1 Overview
3.3.2 Components of electrolytes
3.3.2.1 Organic solvents
3.3.2.2 Lithium salts
3.3.2.3 Additives
3.3.3 Electrolyte property standard for fast charging batteries
3.3.4 Electrolyte design examples for fast charging batteries: Highly concentrated salts system
3.3.5 Electrolyte design examples for fast charging batteries: Hybrid salts system
3.4. Electrodes and cell technologies for fast charging batteries
3.4.1 Design principles for fast charging battery electrodes (electrode tortuosity)
3.4.2 Electrode design case study 1
3.4.3 Electrode design case study 2
4. Current status of fast charging technology by country and company
4.1. Current status of fast charging technology - by country
4.1.1 Korea
4.1.2 Japan
4.1.3 China
4.1.4 U.S.
4.1.5 Europe
4.2. Current status of fast charging technology - by company
4.2.1 Enevate
4.2.2 Toshiba
4.2.3 Storedot
4.2.4 Honda
4.2.5 Nissan
4.2.6 Dyson
4.2.7 Toyota
4.2.8 Porsche
4.2.9 Daimler
4.2.10 BMW
4.2.11 PNNL
4.2.12 Stanford University
4.2.13 University of Texas
4.2.14 A123
4.2.15 GP Battery
4.2.16 Battrion
4.2.17 BESS technology
4.2.18 ABB
4.2.19 NTU
4.2.20 Drexel University
4.3. Patents review on fast charging technologies (2015 ~ 2017)