Improving battery technology for tomorrow's vehicles

Maurizio Cunningham-Brown, CEO of Ultimate Battery Company, explains that existing battery technology is monopolar based, which makes it "inherently inefficient, very costly, heavy and environmentally unfriendly."

"For all batteries, including stop/start and lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries, this translates to shorter run times and limited travel range, as well as a substantial cost for the customer," he said.

"Our aim is to deliver a new battery that provides lithium-like performance at 35% of the cost, enables twice the energy to be stored in the same physical space and provides a faster charging rate. These batteries also significantly reduce weight by up to 15kg per vehicle, driving down CO₂ emissions and manufacturing costs, whilst increasing energy densities.

"To achieve production and development of these products we needed to find a location that would help make the process as smooth as possible and provide our business the support needed to get our plans in motion."

Forging partnerships with innovative business

The company was put into contact with a number of regions across the UK by the Department of International Trade, before deciding on the most suitable location. "The one that stood out most for us was South Yorkshire. Not only does the region have a great infrastructure, state-of-the-art research facilities and a talented workforce, but the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) was the most supportive in helping us to drive forward our ambitions.

"They also helped us to develop a close partnership with the University of Sheffield’s engineering students and the AMRC’s engineering team. During the research stages, they have both been phenomenal in helping us to further develop the technology for our new units and in achieving our goals."

The Advanced Manufacturing Resarch Centre - a home to innovation

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) is a network of world-leading research and innovation centres working with manufacturing companies of any size from around the globe. It has a global reputation for helping companies overcome manufacturing problems and has become a model for collaborative research involving universities, academics and industry.

It specialises in carrying out world-leading research into advanced machining, manufacturing and materials that is of practical use to industry. It transforms industrial and economic performance by making step changes in productivity, increasing competitiveness, developing new products and processes and training new talent and skills.

Industrial partners range from global giants like Boeing, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems and Airbus to small companies. Businesses can work on a one-off project, or join as a member for long-term collaboration.

The AMRC is playing a core role in the national revival of the manufacturing sector. It is part of the government-backed High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult - a thriving alliance of seven technology and innovation centres working with companies of all sizes to accelerate the process from technological concept to commercialisation. Companies working with the AMRC can tap into a national network of manufacturing research excellence. If any aspects of a particular challenge fall outside any HVM Catapult member’s areas of expertise, they can call on the knowledge and resources of other centres.

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