EAS 4690 cylindrical cells with Echion XNO anode material achieves high performance

German cell manufacturer EAS Batteries GmbH (EAS) has announced that it has achieved an unmatched combination of performances for a lithium-ion battery with its 4690-format cylindrical cell design, powered by Echion Technologies' 'XNO' active anode material. 

The cell features a symmetrical 7C continuous power and charging rate capability combined with an energy density exceeding 300Wh/L. The cycle life of the first design iteration based on the first thousand cycles (87 oercent retention capacity), is on track to achieve at least 2,000 cycles, according to the company. 

EAS further adds that the results are consistent with other cells developed with 'XNO' which have gone on to achieve over 10,000 cycles in subsequent iterations. The work by EAS highlights Echion Technologies' XNO as the anode material of choice for lithium-ion batteries to power the toughest industrial and commercial applications. 

The said active anode material claims to combine fast-charging capability with high energy density. It is based on niobium oxide that is considered as environmentally friendly. Echion claims to make the new active material available to potential customers in the form of a ready-to-use cell, so that they can immediately test it for their applications.

The 4690 cells leverage EAS' expertise in high power battery cells, utilizing their tabless design which allow the cylindrical cells to accommodate the very high charge and discharge rates enabled by XNO. This results in a very low AC and DC impedances (0.5mΩ and 2.0mΩ respectively), minimizing the heat generated at high charge and discharge rates, while also increasing the accessible energy per cycle and prolongs overall cycle life.

Michael Deutmeyer, Managing Director of EAS Batteries GmbH, said on the development, "XNO is a promising anode material – and one which is of interest to our customers. We are pleased to have entered into further cooperation with Echion through this project."

EAS opines that the combination of high energy density, fast charging rates, high power, long cycle life and safety are desired by high duty cycle industrial and commercial applications, whose requirements are not readily met by existing lithium-ion battery chemistries. 

Cases in point include mining haul trucks, off-highway vehicles, and trains. For these, the ability to meet volume and mass packaging constraints, maintain high fleet productivity and achieve a low and stable total cost of ownership are key requirements for viable electrification, the company adds. 

The cell manufacturer claims that its 4960 cells can meet these requirements, and claims to witness strong OEM interest in XNO already, resulting in the first small-scale production for performance evaluation. 

Dr Loubna El Ouatani, Chief Product Officer of Echion Technologies, said, "This demonstrator cell, developed and produced by EAS showcases performances enabled by XNO, which are well matched to industrial and commercial applications with high duty cycles. By achieving over 300Wh/L energy density, 7C/7C charge/discharge with 95 percent capacity retention and very high cycle life, we have demonstrated how XNO offers superior capabilities vs. LFP and LTO cells". 

"By that I mean we have both a continuous and pulse charge that is superior to LFP. And an energy density level not matched in LTO cells. Importantly, this was done in a large, 20Ah cell, in a standard 46xx series design, which shows that these performances can be readily attained by commercial cell manufacturers", Quatani added. 

Beyond the cell-level performances achieved in the 4690-form factor, the excellent processability of XNO® into electrodes was also confirmed by EAS.