Testing by UK defense technology company QinetiQ indicates that lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) cathode active material developed by UK battery materials producer Integrals Power could increase EV range by extending the useable capacity of the battery under high discharge conditions.

Conventional lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistries experience a reduction in useable capacity when the battery is operated at high discharge conditions, such as prolonged periods of highway driving or in high-power applications such as electric mining vehicles. QinetiQ’s testing demonstrated that the LMFP cells retain a higher percentage of their nominal capacity than LFP under these conditions.

QinetiQ manufactured and tested prototype LMFP pouch cells using the new material and standard commercial-grade graphite anodes and liquid electrolyte that retained 99% of their original capacity at 2 C (30 minutes discharge time), and 95% at 5 C (12 minutes discharge time). Even at 10 C capacity retention was 60%. Each cell was tested at an electrode loading of 2 mAh/cm².

QinetiQ’s assessments follow other third-party testing last year that showed Integrals Power had achieved the breakthrough of incorporating a manganese content of 80% and delivering nearly 150 mAh/gr specific capacity, while overcoming the reduction in energy density that typically occurs at such high levels.

The LMFP used in the tests is one of 25 cathode active materials that Integrals Power is developing at its UK facility, which includes a pilot plant capable of producing 20 tonnes a year from high-purity raw materials rather than bulk precursors.

“Together with the proven energy density improvements of up to 20% compared to LFP unlocked by our 80% manganese content and higher voltage profile of 4.1 V, we are able to demonstrate to our customers around the world that we can enable significant cost and weight reductions, and more compact, more sustainable and longer-lasting battery pack designs,” said Integrals Power founder and CEO Behnam Hormozi.

Source: Integrals Power