Materials

6kand Albemarle partner to develop sustainable lithium battery materials

6k, a developer of specialist 3D printing materials, has signed a joint development agreement with global chemicals firmAlbemarle Corporationfor the production of novel lithium-ion battery materials.

6K专利的Unimelt Technology将启用共同努力,这是一个可持续的材料生产平台,用于创建工业级粉末。

Alongside the joint development agreement, Albemarle has also made an undisclosed capital investment in 6K. The investment was made throughVolta Energy Technologies, a 2017 VC firm focused on the energy storage sector and an existing investor of 6K.

“Albemarle’s engagement with 6K is yet another example of Albemarle’s commitment to maintain its technology leadership in lithium,” said Dr. Jeff Chamberlain, CEO of Volta Energy Technologies. “Volta is thrilled that 6K continues to work directly with world leaders in the development of its ground-breaking manufacturing technology.”

A peek inside the UniMelt system. Photo via 6K.
A peek inside the UniMelt microwave plasma system. Photo via 6K.

Unimelt微波等离子体系统

6K的Unimelt系统在公司的proprietary microwave plasma process旨在将铣削,转弯和其他再生废物转换为可用的3D打印材料。该过程由其大容量的生产能力定义,能够生产各种工业粉末,例如Onyx In Y718,Onyx Ti64,Ferrous Alloys,基于钴的合金,甚至是高温陶瓷。

该公司已经在2021年4月建立一个锂离子电池材料的开发中重新使用了其UNIMELT技术以开发锂离子电池材料new Center of Excellence for its energy division, 6K Energy. Located in North Andover, MA, the 33,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility has since been focusing on the development of new sustainable battery materials.

More recently, in September, 6K also raised$51 million in a Series C financing roundto ramp up its battery material development efforts. Specifically, the firm used the funds to double the floorspace of its Center of Excellence while also doubling its 6K Energy employee count.

With Albemarle and its battery material expertise now in the scene, 6K’s UniMelt technology is expected to enable previously unseen energy storage device performances.

Albemarle锂CTO的Glen Merfeld博士补充说:“ Albemarle正在开发高级锂材料,以实现突破性的锂离子电池性能。UNIMELT等离子体技术为锂材料创新打开了新的反应途径。我们与6K的合作具有巨大的潜力。”

马萨诸塞州北安多佛市的6K电池卓越中心。通过6K照片。
6k’s Battery Center of Excellence in North Andover, MA. Photo via 6K.

Towards sustainable battery material production

与其他常规电池生产平台不同,UNIMELT的使用也有望引入大量可持续性益处。例如,6K指出,如果传统的16GWH电池阴极生产工厂被同等的Unimelt生产设施取代,则可以削减CO2emissions by up to 70%. Water consumption could also be slashed by up to 90%, and wastewater production would be eliminated altogether, all while requiring 50% less factory space.

If all goes well, the joint development agreement could have major implications for sectors such as electric vehicles, grid storage, and consumer goods. Specifically, devices and systems that rely on energy storage devices could very well begin to benefit from improved cycle lives, greater safety, more compact form factors, and greater storage capacity.

“We are pleased to partner with a world leader in lithium technology and production”, commented Dr. Aaron Bent, 6K’s CEO. “The agreement with Albemarle highlights the commitment of both organizations to drive battery material performance enhancements while introducing more sustainable production methods. We are thrilled to welcome Albemarle to our investor group and our engineers are eager to work alongside Albemarle’s team.”

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Featured image shows a peek inside the UniMelt microwave plasma system. Photo via 6K.