Forge Nano could save Samsung phones from exploding with ALD coating

As reported by EETimes: LAKE WALES, Fla. — The exploding battery debacle of Samsung's Note 7 got it recalled, replaced, recalled again and now permanently cancelled. Any remaining units in the field are banned by the FAA from airline flights. But it all could have been avoided, according to Forge Nano (Denver, Colo., formerly PneumatiCoat Technologies), if their nano coating had been used. Forge Nano's nano coatings boost the breakdown temperature of flammable electrolyte Li-Ion batteries, putting it way far into the safe zone for nominal environmental usage. The key, according to Forge Nano (Denver) is nano-pattern atomic layer deposition (ALD).

 

"The atomic layer coatings are chemically bonded on the surface of active material particles that make up the Li-Ion battery cathode. It works like a protective coating on an M&M. Independent testing and research has shown that ALD coatings can prevent or reduce the formation of these unwanted chemical species within Li-Ion batteries that can lead exothermic reactions [thermal runaway]," Dr. James Trevey, vice president of engineering told EE Times.

Continue reading: http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1330796

Background on Forge Nano ALD grant:

PCT (Forge Nano) Awarded Department of Energy Phase II SBIR Grant for its High Rate Nanomanufacturing Approach to Low-Cost ALD Enabled Lithium Ion Battery Materials

PneumatiCoat Technologies (Forge Nano) is proud to announce the successful conversion of its DOE Phase II SBIR project for its approach to high-rate nanomanufacturing that will enable the ALD process to be adopted at low cost to the entire value chain. PCT (Forge Nano) will be scaling its high-rate manufacturing process to be capable of producing ALD coated Li-ion battery materials at rates exceeding 100 kg/day. This represents a substantial expansion of the global Particle ALD manufacturing footprint and maintains PCT’s (Forge Nano) position as the market leader bringing this technology first developed in Finland in 1992 to a commercial reality. PCT (Forge Nano) received commitments from its partners to provide PCT (Forge Nano) with over 500 kilograms of pristine cathode materials in support of its efforts. In addition to implementing a lean manufacturing vision for ALD coated materials, PCT’s (Forge Nano) R&D operations will be developing next generation coatings for advanced cathode materials for Li-ion and other types of batteries and capacitor systems. This award represents a win for the entire vehicular battery value chain. A list of awarded projects is available here.