Blackstone Technology Presents New 3D Printed Lithium-Ion Battery Cell

Switzerland-based Blackstone Resources announced important achievements by its subsidiary Blackstone Technology, during its Blackstone’s Battery Day held recently. On that day, the firm presented a new 3D-printed lithium-ion battery cell produced with its own proprietary patented technology. 

Blackstone Technology was launched with the sole purpose to develop Blackstone’s expertise in battery manufacturing. 

The CEO of Blackstone Technology, Holger Gritzka presented a preseries production sample cell which Blackstone Technology will bring into production at these manufacturing facilities this summer, whose manufacturing process is ecologically friendly and offers superior performance compared to current battery technology, the company claims. 

CEO Holger Gritzka believes the next generation of batteries made at these facilities should be based on a clean and sustainable type of technology. This means, for instance, using electrodes that are not toxic and damaging to the environment. He also highlighted how important it was that the battery materials used should be sourced ethically and sustainably. Blackstone Resources may deliver battery metals from their sources such as lithium from Chile.

Gritzka presented an LFP (lithium ferrophosphate) based type of battery technology today, that has a cathode based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP). This is inexpensive and does not require cobalt or nickel. Additionally, other combinations with other metals like NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) batteries are also being planned.

Additionally, he explained that no toxic materials are used with these batteries but water only. Although LFP technology typically has a lower energy density in comparison to other battery chemistries, Blackstone’s proprietary thick-layer technology that is used at Blackstone Technology cancels out these disadvantages. The LFP battery technology presented offers 20-25 percent more energy density compared to current lithium-ion battery technology, he claims. 

Interestingly, the company has already held talks with several customers who would like to use the batteries produced by Blackstone Technology in their products. Also, the company will provide 10,000 battery cells for this EU project by next Spring.