ElectriPlast redefines bipolar plate design based on a plate core made of highly conductive loaded resins and with metal/lead covered surfaces
Integral Technologies,an emerging light-weighting leader and wholly owned subsidiary ElectriPlast, has successfully demonstrated a prototype 12v lead acid bipolar battery with Electriplast plates. “The follow-up inquiries from our unveiling/demonstration at The Battery Show 2015 and Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Conference and Expo have been overwhelming,” said Doug Bathauer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Integral Technologies. “Bsed on feedback received at the show, we believe our plate technology could be a game changer. We are now working with multiple battery companies in several sectors."
The demand for advanced lead acid technology continues to be strong as evidenced by industry leader, Johnson Controls’ recent announcement to invest over $500 million to increase worldwide manufacturing capacity and more than double production in China, the world’s largest car market. China’s aggressive fuel economy initiatives are accelerating consumption of lead acid batteries, a 'tried-and-true' technology, while lithium ion struggles to meet cost hurdles. Integral is leveraging its relationships with Hanwha and Chang Rim to drive growth in the fast growing Asia markets.
“ElectriPlast redefines bipolar plate design based on a plate core made of highly conductive loaded resins and with metal/lead covered surfaces,” says Slobodan "Bob" Pavlovic, VP Engineering of ElectriPlast Corporation who directs material research, product development and design initiatives for the company. “The molding process for our bipolar battery allows us to produce a nearly unlimited number of 3D shapes and sizes which allow the bipolar plate and integral structures to be executed in any desired embodiment and the inherent conductivity of ElectriPlast eliminates the need for conductive vias or other means to connect electrically two sides of the plate.”
The plates are lightweight and easy to assemble into the bipolar battery package – they can also be made as a ‘drop-in’ replacement for some existing quasi bipolar plates. Bipolar technology eliminates the use of top lead to connect the plates, thereby reducing weight by over 50%. These unique characteristics allow the technology to be applied in other sectors such as motorcycles, golf carts and forklifts. However, the applications for bipolar plates are not limited to transportation, as the bipolar technology can be used in stationary applications including flow batteries that are being developed to improving grid efficiency and for fuel cells for baseload power.
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