Applications Stream

Advances in Automotive Power Applications

Implementing & Optimizing the Performance of Vehicle Battery Packs

March 27-28, 2018 | Fort Lauderdale Convention Center | Fort Lauderdale, Florida


OEM demand drives innovation for advanced lithium batteries for automotive applications. Discover what components drive this innovation through accelerated discussion of R&D advancements that strengthens international cooperation in battery development. This conference track will address the critical issues facing application developers, design engineers and system engineers as they work to overcome barriers to bringing products to market as well as improve the capabilities of existing products. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from the key industry organizations from around the globe on their strategies to finding success and how they are conquering the challenges of commercialization.

Monday, March 26

7:00 am - 4:00 pm Tutorial and Training Seminar* Registration Open

7:00 - 8:00 am Morning Coffee

12:30 - 1:30 Enjoy Lunch on Your Own

1:30 - 2:00 Networking Refreshment Break

4:00 Close of Day

*Separate registration required for Tutorials and Training Seminar.

Tuesday, March 27

7:00 am Registration and Morning Coffee

8:10 Plenary Keynote Sessions: Organizer’s Opening Remarks

Craig Wohlers, Executive Director, Conferences, Cambridge EnerTech


8:15 How Does the Electrolyte Change during the Lifetime of a Li-Ion Cell?

Jeff Dahn, PhD, Professor, Canada Research Chair, NSERC/Tesla Canada Industrial Research Chair, Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University

Jeff Dahn is recognized as one of the pioneering developers of the lithium-ion battery that is now used worldwide in laptop computers and cellphones. This presentation will examine how the electrolyte changes during the lifetime of the cell.

8:45 Uber Elevate - Powering an Electric UberAIR Future

Celina_MikolajczakCelina Mikolajczak, Director of Battery Development, Uber

Celina Mikolajczak will be speaking about the Uber Elevate initiative and sharing vision for how vertical take-off and landing vehicles will change the world, as well as the energy storage needs required to power UberAIR missions in the years ahead.

9:15 Networking Coffee Break

OEM Application-Driven Development

9:45 Organizer’s Opening Remarks

Craig Wohlers, Executive Director, Conferences, Cambridge EnerTech

9:50 Chairperson’s Remarks

Odysseas Paschos, PhD, Battery Technology Project, BMW Group

10:00 10:00 U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Battery Research Progress

Brian Cunningham, Engineer, U.S. Department of Energy

This presentation provides an overview of DOE vehicle battery R&D progress and the associated initiatives for accelerating commercialization. It also includes highlights of many significant research breakthroughs resulting from VTO-funded R&D. A discussion of electric drive vehicle technology performance targets, gaps, and future research directions is also included.

10:30 On the Optimal Sizing of Batteries for Electric Vehicles and the Influence of Fast Charge

Mark_VerbruggeMark Verbrugge, Director, Chemical and Materials Systems Laboratory, General Motors

We are at a crossroads in terms of balancing two promising technologies: (1) higher energy density (Wh/L) and specific energy (Wh/kg) batteries, relative to today’s conventional graphite/metal-oxide lithium ion systems, and (2) fast-charge capability, defined here as greater than Level 2 charging, or greater than about 20 kW. We present a simple model to assist in evaluating such matters as cell performance, cost, life, and fast-charge capability. * Co-Author: Charles Wampler, Chemical and Materials Systems Lab, General Motors

11:00 Technology and Research for Safer and Longer Lasting Batteries

Tobias_GlossmannTobias Glossman, Senior Engineer, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America

The dropping cost of Li-ion cells enables more transportation applications to be electrified than ever before. The overall auto industry is working on the integration of batteries with high energy content. Safety and endurance are important requirements especially for premium cars, high energy content and superior power do not satisfy the expectations. This talk will discuss some of the recent efforts in R&D toward higher safety and durability goals.

Xilectric11:30 Commercialization of a New Class of Additives to Improve Li-ion Abuse Tolerance

Steven_WeissSteven Weiss, PhD, Founder, Xilectric Inc.

The emergence of ride sharing and autonomous vehicles will require batteries with improved durability. In this talk, Xilectric will discuss its newly-developed technology aimed at improving Lithium-Ion batteries’ cycle lifetime and abuse tolerance. Xilectric’s work stems from the development of a new acidity framework and its vision of what it means to buffer Lithium-Ion electrolytes from changes in acidity. This technology helps with high voltage, high temperature, and fast charge and has been shown to achieve a greater than 2.5 times battery lifetime increase for a variety of electrolyte and cathode formulations.

 Forge_Nano11:45 The Next Era in Li-Ion Batteries Begins Today with Nano-Coatings

Reuben_SarkarReuben Sarkar, MSc, MBA, Chief Product Officer, Forge Nano

Production ready nano-coatings can unlock the full potential of today’s Li-ion batteries providing greater capacity, longer life, lower cost, and faster charging along with a higher intrinsic safety.


EVE-Sponsor12:00 pm Networking Luncheon

12:55 Networking Refreshment Break

OEM Application-Driven Development (Cont.)

1:25 Chairperson’s Remarks

Mark Verbrugge, Director, Chemical and Materials Systems Laboratory, General Motors

1:30 Perspectives and Challenges of Automotive Li-Ion Materials and Cells

Odysseas Paschos, PhD, Battery Technology Project, BMW Group

The development of e-mobility is at a tipping point with increasingly optimistic forecasts for the future market share of electric vehicles. This presentation will outline the potential and limits of present material concepts from a car manufacturer point of view. In particular, it will address open issues to be solved in the future development of electric energy storage technologies for automotive applications.

2:00 Trends in Urban Mobility and BlueSolutions Opportunities

Didier_MarginedesDidier Marginedes, Senior Vice President, Director, BlueSolutions – Groupe BOLLORE

Urban mobility is one of the toughest challenges that cities face today as existing mobility systems are not responding to the new needs. Evolution of travel habits, demand for new services, speed and predictability, as well as evolving customer expectations toward individualization and sustainability will require new mobility services. BlueSolutions intends to be part of this evolution with car-sharing services and public transportation solutions based on its battery technology and systems solutions.

Enevate2:30 Extreme Fast Charge Capable Batteries Using Silicon-Dominant Anode & Cell Technology

Benjamin Park, PhD, Founder & CTO, Enevate Corporation

Enevate's silicon-dominant anode (>70% silicon) and Li-ion cell technology utilizes a self-standing film without typical battery binder materials. Batteries using Enevate's anode offer extreme fast charge with high energy density, wide temperature operation, and safety. Data will be shown along with analysis of other potential technology benefits for EV applications..

3:00 Grand Opening Dessert Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

3:45 Advancements and Challenges in Batteries beyond Li-Ion

Rana_MohtadiRana Mohtadi, PhD, Principal Scientist, Toyota

Over the past few years, there have been increasing interests in battery chemistries promising to overcome the limitations with existing lithium ion batteries. Namely, the limited energy density has been a key driver to revisit metallic systems such as those based on lithium and magnesium metal. Although nascent in nature compared to its Li counterpart, advancements in technologies related to magnesium batteries have been reshaping our understanding of these systems. We will address the opportunities and technical hurdles facing these technologies.

4:15 Porsche’s Technical Innovations for EVs in Production Vehicles through Motorsport Development Activities

Ken_GouldKenneth Gould, E-Mobility Technical Systems Engineer, Porsche Cars North America

The relationship between motorsport activities, technical innovation, durability and refinement is fundamental at Porsche. As we move toward the electrically enhanced and full electric vehicle drive systems in production vehicles, it is important to retain the performance and the "Fun to Drive" characteristics. We believe development for and participation in motorsport activities is the best way to achieve this goal.

4:45 Surpassing the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)

Fabio_AlbanoFabio Albano, PhD, Vice President of Battery Systems, Fisker, Inc.

This presentation will share Fisker’s battery architecture to achieve an 800V powertrain that can enable ultra-fast charging and energy density in excess of 230 Wh/kg at the system level. Such high energy density battery systems will enable vehicles with range more than 400 miles, a necessary step for EVs to surpass current transportation technologies based on ICEs. We will also provide a glimpse at solid state battery technologies under development for the electric vehicles of tomorrow.

5:15 Transition to Breakout Discussions

5:20 Interactive Breakout Discussion Groups

Participants choose a specific breakout discussion group to join. Each group has a moderator to ensure focused discussions around key issues within the topic. This format allows participants to meet potential collaborators, share examples from their work, vet ideas with peers, and be part of a group problem-solving endeavor. The discussions provide an informal exchange of ideas and are not meant to be a corporate or specific product discussion.

TABLE 1: Lessons Learned from the Samsung Galaxy Note7 Battery Safety Events

Shmuel De-Leon, CEO, Shmuel De-Leon Energy, Ltd.

TABLE 2: Need, Status, and Future Prospects of New Battery Materials

Maximilian Fichtner, PhD, Executive Director, Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU); Managing Director, Energy Storage Group, Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

TABLE 3: Unmet Needs and Opportunities in Battery Diagnostics

Alexej Jerschow, PhD, Professor, Chemistry Department, New York University

TABLE 4: Silicon Anodes and Cells

Benjamin Park, PhD, Founder & CTO, Enevate

TABLE 5: High Energy Density and Improved Safety with Enhanced Current Collectors

Brian Morin, PhD, CEO, Soteria Battery Innovation Group

TABLE 6: Cell Manufacturing

Raf Goossens, PhD, CEO, Global Corporate Management, PEC

TABLE 7: What Do I Really Have to Do to Ship My Small Li-Ion Battery Globally?

Cynthia Millsaps, President and CEO, Energy Assurance LLC

TABLE 8: Preventing Costly Over-Design While Maintaining Safety

Chris Turner, CTO & Vice President, Inventus Power

TABLE 9: Consumer Product Safety

Douglas Lee, Directorate for Engineering Sciences, U.S. Consumer for Product Safety Commission

TABLE 10: SK Innovation’s use of IPR in SK Innovation v. Celgard

Grant M. Ehrlich, PhD, Partner, Cantor Colburn LLP.

TABLE 11: Electrolyte Developments: New Components and Approaches

Sam Jaffe, Managing Director, Cairn Energy Research Advisors

6:20 Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)

7:20 Close of Day

Wednesday, March 28

8:00 am Registration and Morning Coffee

Innovation & Design in Next Generation Transportation Applications

8:25 Chairperson’s Remarks

Rana Mohtadi, PhD, Principal Scientist, Toyota

8:30 Safety Testing and Simulation of Existing and Next Generation of Lithium Batteries

Ahmad Pesaran, PhD, Chief Energy Storage Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Cost and performance of existing lithium ion batteries have improved significantly. To make these batteries safe in electric vehicles, current solutions add extra cost, weight, and volume. NREL’s modeling tools evaluate the abuse behavior of lithium batteries under overheating, overcharge, nail penetration, crush, and internal short circuit. In this presentation, we will discuss select results of using our testing and modeling tools for the existing lithium ion technologies and how they could be applied to the next generation of lithium batteries.

9:00 A123’s Advanced Global Lithium Ion Cell Development for Low and High Voltage Automotive Applications

Patrick_HurleyPatrick Hurley, PhD, CTO, A123 Systems, LLC

With the rapid global adoption of electrochemical energy storage for use in automotive transportation, safety has become a key focus. The adoption of Nickel-rich NMC cathodes along with novel Group IV anodes is pushing gravimetric energy densities past 350 Wh/Kg. This presentation will discuss A123’s advancements in safety technology for high energy density applications for use in PHEV and EV technologies along with low temperature performance for 12 & 48V applications.

9:30 JCI’s 48-Volt Lithium-Ion Micro Hybrid Battery Enabling Optimization of Energy Generation and Consumption

Phil Shaw, Global Product Lead, Advanced Battery, Johnson Controls

This presentation will examine the advancements to JCI’s 48v lithium-ion micro hybrid and its optimization.

10:00 Coffee Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

Innovation & Design in Next Generation Transportation Applications (Cont.)

10:45 12V Start-Stop and 48V Mild Hybrid LMO-LTO Batteries

Veselin_ManevVeselin Manev, PhD, Senior Technical Director, LTO Batteries Technology, XALT Energy

The presentation outlines the significant accomplishment of XALT-Energy in LTO battery technology introducing this year LTO based battery products achieving 60,000 cycles at 100% DOD and room temperature and more than 10,000 cycles at 55oC. It will also review the application of said LMO-LTO technology achievements in development 12 V start stop and 48 V mild hybrid batteries meeting the USABC goals, including cold cranking 6 kW pulse power requirement at -30oC.

11:15 What Can the Automotive Industry Learn from Consumer Electronics?

John_WozniakJohn Wozniak, President, Energy Storage and Power Consulting

The consumer electronics industry has been plagued by massive recalls over the past 12 years. The vast majority of these involve large, reputable cell manufacturers. The expected rapid growth in XEV applications, with hundreds or thousands of cells per battery pack, raises significant concerns about safety.

11:45 Fast Forward to a Fast Charge Future

Renata_ArsenaultRenata Arsenault, Senior Researcher, Ford Motor Company

The convergence of a number of disruptive technologies, steadily declining battery costs, and the connectivity that is changing every facet of our lives has thrust EVs onto the doorstep of mainstream adoption. Ford currently offers a DC Fast Charge capable Focus Electric, and has recently unveiled ambitious plans for its future electrification portfolio. Widespread fast charging capability is one of the final frontiers that must be conquered in order to make EVs fully competitive with their ICE counterparts. An overview of the DC Fast Charging landscape in the US and abroad will provide context for a closer look at the barriers that remain, technology status and needs, and the implications for a society where fast charging stations abound and where EVs roam the roads in ever-increasing numbers.

12:15 pm Luncheon Presentation (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)

1:30 Shep Wolsky Innovator Award and Tribute & Plenary Keynotes

1:45 Past, Present and Future of Lithium-Ion Batteries. Can New Technologies Open Up New Horizons?

Yoshio_NishiYoshio Nishi, PhD, Executive Alumni, Sony Corporation

Mr. Yoshio Nishi is retired senior vice president and chief technology officer of the Sony Corporation. He graduated in 1966 from the Faculty of Applied Chemistry of the Department of Technology at Keio University in Tokyo and immediately joined Sony, where he rose through the ranks to become corporate research fellow, vice president, and president of the company’s materials laboratories. In 1991 his team succeeded in the commercialization of the first lithium-ion secondary batteries (LIB). In 1994 he received technical awards from the Electrochemical Societies of both Japan and the United States in recognition of his contributions to LIB technology. In 2014, Dr. Nishi was awarded the Draper Prize by the National Academy of Engineering for pioneering and leading the groundwork for today’s lithium-ion battery. Since the early 1990s, LIBs were introduced into various mobile devices and we were reasonably confident that our customers would be satisfied with their performance. Shortly afterwards, however, we noticed that there were some discrepancies between the performance we offered and that expected by our customers. Dr. Nishi will discuss here what LIB users really require from secondary batteries.

2:05 Global Electrification and LG Chem

Denise GrayDenise Gray, CEO, LG Chem Power

Denise Gray is President/CEO of LG Chem Power Inc. (LGCPI), the North American subsidiary of lithium-ion battery maker, LG Chem (LGC), Korea. In this position, she has overall responsibility for the strategic direction, engineering, and business development activities for the North American market. The majority of her professional career, nearly 30 years, was spent at General Motors in the USA. Director of Battery Systems Engineering, Director of Transmission Controls Engineering, Director of Powertrain Controller Engineering, Director of Powertrain Software Engineering, and development of powertrain and vehicle electrical systems were her core engineering responsibilities. A review of the current global trends in vehicle electrification and automotive battery technologies will be presented. This will be carried out highlighting LG Chem’s participation in the various segments from materials, cell and cost points of view.

2:25 Addressing Key Battery Issues from a Thermodynamics Perspective

Rachid_YazamiRachid Yazami, PhD, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Program Director, Energy Storage, Energy Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Rachid Yazami is a French Morrocan scientist best known for his research on lithium-ion batteries and on fluoride-ion batteries. He is the inventor of the graphite anode (negative pole) of lithium-ion batteries. In 2014 Rachid Yazami, John Goodenough, Yoshio Nishi and Akira Yoshino were awarded the Draper Prize by the National Academy of Engineering for pioneering and leading the groundwork for today’s lithium-ion battery. In this presentation, we will show how online thermodynamics data collection and processing addresses the SOC and SOH determination. We found a universal rule, which applies to all LIB tested at any SOH (ageing), that is the SOC is a linear function of entropy and enthalpy. Linearity coefficients are LIB chemistry and SOH dependent. Therefore, the thermodynamics assessment method teaches on the type of cathode material and on the degree of anode and cathode degradation as the battery ages.

2:45 Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

3:30 Close of Advances in Automotive Power Applications