Lithium Australia NL (ASX:LIT) will participate in a $5 million federal government research project to develop fast-charge lithium-ion batteries for use in new generation trams.
LIT’s subsidiary VSPC will develop advanced cathode materials and work alongside the CSIRO, The University of Queensland and Soluna Australia.
VSPC will partner with battery researchers at CSIRO’s Clayton site in Victoria to design, manufacture and test fast-charge lithium-ion battery prototypes.
Opportunity to work with leading researchers
LIT’s managing director Adrian Griffin said: “This is an unparalleled opportunity to combine VSPC’s battery-materials technology with some of the world’s leading research.
“The aim is to deliver an Australian product that puts this country at the forefront of battery development … and there’s more to it than trams; successful application of what is currently at our fingertips will lead to myriad other fast-charge applications, many of them not yet thought of.”
VSPC executive director Mike Vaisey added: “This project is a tremendous opportunity to bring together Australia’s technological capabilities – including VSPC’s advanced cathode materials, CSIRO’s battery expertise and UQ’s analytical abilities – to develop new battery systems using VSPC cathode material.
“Light rail is experiencing a resurgence worldwide as cities modernise, and fast-charge batteries are critical to avoiding the poles and wires of the past.”
CSIRO a leader in the battery field
CSIRO principal research scientist Adam Best also said: “CSIRO has over 35 years’ experience with batteries, and more than 15 years of working in the lithium battery field.
“We’re excited to be applying our significant capabilities and expertise to this project, in conjunction with VSPC and UQ, for the design, manufacture and testing of next-generation fast-charge batteries that incorporate VSPC’s advanced cathode materials.”