SEI Develops New Rechargeable Battery with Molten Salt

Sumitomo Electric Industries (SEI) announced on Friday the firm developed new-type rechargeable battery, using sodium compound for positive and negative electrodes, and molten salt for electrolyte. The battery represented high energy density at 290Wh/L while realized non-flammability and size down of battery system. SEI aims to commercialize this battery in 2015.

SEI developed molten salt, melting point of which is very low at 57 degrees of centigrade, in cooperation with Kyoto University. SEI combined this low-melting-point molten salt and SEI’s original battery related technologies/components, including porous metal “Celmet” and lead wire “Tab-lead.”

This new battery works under wide range temperature at 57-190 degrees with non-flammability. Thus high density battery system is available with this battery. SEI estimates this new battery system is about 50% smaller than lithium ion battery system with same power capacity.

Production cost is approaching 20,000 yen/kWh. SEI aims to commercialize this new battery for electric power storage or electric vehicle.