Mito to introduce graphene to EV energy storage innovations

Source | Mito Material Solutions

Mito Material Solutions (Indianapolis, Ind., U.S.) a specialty chemical company featuring a verified functional graphene additive, is currently engaged in two initiatives focused on bringing graphene’s technical properties to energy storage applications — specifically electric vehicle (EV) batteries. While the company says these particular projects will not involve composite materials, Mito is interested in composites partners going forward.

Graphene’s properties — mechanical strength and flexibility, lightweight, ion transport facilitation, high thermal conductivity, high surface area, electrical conductivity, chemical stability and capacitance contribution — make it a useful addition for battery technologies.

In one project, Mito and Avery Dennison (AD, Peachtree City, Ga, U.S.) are collaborating to create a multifunctional adhesive for EV batteries using advanced 2D materials. The goal is to design a lighter, but also more durable, product while taking into account market dynamics, including pricing and regulatory requirements.

Composites in energy storage

One of the biggest opportunities for composites in BEVs is battery enclosures — covers and trays that hold and protect the frames and battery cells within an EV. Beyond lightweighting, switching to composite battery enclosures can also enable a host of other benefits such as more complex geometries, better impact performance, corrosion resistance, faster assembly, greater durability and — with specific formulations — improved flame resistance/fire containment.

Read “Composites end markets: Automotive (2024),” for more info.

Mito is also participating in the 2024 cohort of ChargeUp by NENY, a technology ecosystem in upstate New York supporting R&D, innovation, technology translation and workforce development to advance the domestic battery and energy storage industry. ChargeUp is an accelerator dedicated to supporting battery and energy storage startups and is designed to propel domestic battery industry innovation. This program exemplifies how targeted support and strategic collaboration can catalyze profound advancements in battery and energy storage technologies.

“The two projects enable Mito to pave the way for wider adaptation of these energy storage platforms. With AD, we are developing multifunctional solutions that offer better performance, higher safety and lighter weight in battery packaging. With ChargeUp, we are targeting higher capacity, faster charging and better low-temperature performance for battery cells,” notes Mahdi Ghazizadeh, MITO COO. “The AD project focuses on safety concerns and reducing vehicle weight and ChargeUp is addressing inconveniences that come with use of batteries and EV hampering their expansion. Together these efforts will enhance energy storage technologies using graphene’s potential and demonstrating Mito’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.”