SK On unveils more advanced battery fast-charging performance. The new product, which maintains fast-charging performance while increasing energy density compared to the existing SF battery (Super Fast), is expected to enhance the convenience of electric vehicle usage.
SK On announced on the 3rd that it will unveil the Advanced SF battery at 'InterBattery 2024,' the largest domestic battery exhibition held from the 6th to the 8th at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul.
80% Fast Charge in Just 18 Minutes and Cold-Resistant LFP Battery Introduced
The SF battery is a high-nickel battery first revealed by SK On in 2021. It can charge from 10% to 80% of cell capacity in just 18 minutes. The Advanced SF battery increases energy density by 9% while maintaining the fast-charging time. Higher energy density allows more energy storage, extending driving range per charge.
The Advanced SF battery is the result of SK On’s continuous improvement of its proprietary fast-charging technology. Battery charging speed is determined by the distance and speed of lithium-ion movement. Typically, higher energy density leads to higher anode resistance during charging, slowing lithium-ion movement and lengthening charging time.
SK On drastically reduced anode resistance through a special coating method and shortened lithium-ion migration paths by applying anode alignment technology.
Additionally, by implementing an optimized fast-charging protocol using analysis technology that maximizes battery charging speed, SK On developed the Advanced SF battery.
SK On will also showcase the SF+ battery, which shortens fast-charging time from 18 minutes to 15 minutes. By arranging high-capacity silicon and low-resistance graphite in SK On’s unique dual-layer structure, the lithium-ion migration distance is reduced and migration speed is increased. High-capacity silicon improves migration distance, while low-resistance graphite enhances migration speed.
The ‘Winter Pro’ LFP battery with improved low-temperature performance will also be unveiled. Generally, LFP batteries experience a sharp drop in driving range to 50-70% at low temperatures (-20℃). In contrast, the Winter Pro LFP battery increases energy density by 19% and improves charging and discharging capacity at low temperatures by approximately 16% and 10%, respectively, compared to conventional LFP batteries.
'Speed On' Theme and Innovation Technologies Including Non-Washing Process Revealed
SK On’s theme for this year’s InterBattery exhibition is ‘Speed On.’ At its first participation in InterBattery in 2022, the slogan was ‘Power On,’ meaning ‘to throw down the gauntlet.’ Last year, the theme was ‘Move On,’ signifying ‘expansion and development,’ and this year, ‘Speed On’ was chosen to express the intention to accelerate growth.
SK On arranged the exhibition space into four zones, reflecting its ambition to enhance global status and grow faster through portfolio diversification led by innovative technologies.
Following a runway lined with miniatures of various vehicles equipped with SK On batteries, visitors reach the first zone, ‘Global ON.’
Upon entering this zone, visitors encounter a spherical LED media orb. Pressing the orb’s button displays the locations and information of SK On’s global sites. Behind it, a large LED wall screens videos of the global sites.
The second zone, ‘Innovative Technology,’ introduces SK On’s cathode active material manufacturing technology for high-nickel batteries, including the non-washing process. Residual lithium generated during cathode active material production causes unnecessary gas and byproducts during battery operation, degrading cathode performance.
Residual lithium is typically removed by a washing process using water, but this damages the cathode active material structure and further reduces performance. SK On replaced this with a non-washing process using a proprietary coating material developed in-house, improving cathode performance. Cathode active material refers to the substance in the battery’s cathode that holds lithium ions and supplies them to the anode during charging.
The third zone, ‘Application,’ displays actual vehicles equipped with SK On batteries. The Genesis eG80 and Kia EV9 are exhibited with the SF battery and Advanced SF battery paired respectively. The batteries feature holographic visual effects to provide information in a three-dimensional manner.
SK On will also introduce its energy storage system (ESS) for the first time. A next-generation DC block, connecting ESS modules in series and parallel, is displayed as a 1/10 scale model. It allows real-time monitoring of individual cell and module status, including output, charge amount, and fault detection.
This corner also showcases SK On’s ESS fire safety technologies, including the thermal propagation prevention solution?the first in Korea to receive North American ESS fire safety certification?and liquid cooling technology that minimizes temperature differences between cells and improves charge/discharge efficiency.
The final exhibition zone, ‘Battery Portfolio Diversification,’ presents SK On’s strategies for diversifying form factors and chemistries (cathode and anode materials). Visitors can view SK On’s diverse portfolio at a glance, including enhanced performance products like the SF+ battery and Winter Pro battery, as well as prismatic batteries and all-solid-state batteries.
An SK On official stated, "Visitors to the exhibition will be able to directly and indirectly experience SK On’s world-class research and development capabilities. We will continue to meet diverse customer demands through relentless innovation and portfolio diversification."
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