Altech Batteries completes key spherification milestone for advanced Silumina Anodes project

Altech Batteries (ASX: ATC) has completed the spherification phase of its game-changing Silumina Anodes project incorporating high-capacity silicon into lithium-ion batteries.

The process involved coating silicon particles with alumina and applying additional coatings to the spherical structures, which can then be effectively distributed within the voids of graphite to help minimise long-term damage to a battery’s electrode layer caused by expansion.

Altech’s research and development team has optimised the silicon content to 5%, which has delivered a 50% performance capacity improvement in battery applications.

Race to market

Altech has made no secret of its desire to get the patented Silumina Anode technology to market as quickly as possible and has built a pilot plant in Germany to enable the qualification process for high-quality product.

The commissioning process for coated products had presented a number of technical challenges related to equipment delivery delays, supply of silicon carbide materials, poor flowability and handling difficulties of the ultra-fine silicon powders.

The powders – which measure less than one micron in size – tend to cause “hang-ups” or blockages within the system, complicating consistent material movement and process stability.

With Altech’s team now having resolved the issues through a combination of engineering adjustments and process optimisations, the Silumina Anodes products are reportedly ready for potential customers to evaluate and test, marking a key milestone in the company’s commercialisation pathway.

Long-standing challenges

Altech managing director Iggy Tan said spherification was addressing the long-standing particle swelling and rapid degradation challenges of silicon in lithium-ion batteries.

“Our initial approach involved coating individual silicon particles with a nanolayer of alumina to reduce expansion and mitigate first-cycle loss,” he said.

“Now, by leveraging spherification technology, we have successfully addressed these challenges and achieved a battery with 50% higher energy density and enhanced cycle life, all with a modest addition of silicon.”

He said Altech remained well positioned at the forefront of next-generation battery technology as it moves towards the commercialisation stage.