NOVONIX Limited has secured up to CAD$3 million in research and development funding and advisory services from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).
NOVONIX plans to use the funds to advance two key research initiatives: developing zero-waste cathode materials and a new technology to predict lithium-ion battery lifespan, supported by a collaboration with SandboxAQ, which uses AI-driven chemical simulation software to predict battery lifespan.
“We are honored to receive this funding and grateful to NRC IRAP for their support,” NOVONIX CEO Dr Chris Burns said. “Lithium-ion battery tailwinds have accelerated quickly on the back of public policy support, increasing private sector investment, and strong electric vehicle demand. We expect this trend to grow, underscoring the increasing need for NOVONIX’s materials technologies and advanced battery testing expertise that support cleaner high-performance materials.”
All-Dry, Zero-Waste Cathode Pilot Line and Materials
In July 2023, the company commissioned its all-dry, zero-waste cathode pilot line, which has matched the performance of leading materials from existing suppliers in full-cell testing. An independent engineering study by Hatch Ltd. indicates significant cost savings and waste reduction of NOVONIX’s proprietary cathode synthesis process compared to conventional wet processes.
The NRC IRAP funding will aid NOVONIX’s scientific and engineering team in zero-waste cathode synthesis, enabling pilot-scale development for high-nickel cathode chemistries, including cobalt-free materials, and facilitating commercialisation engagements with potential customers and partners.
Enhanced Data and Analytics Offering
NOVONIX is leveraging SandboxAQ’s artificial intelligence and quantum analysis expertise to develop a data and analytics product offering for lithium-ion batteries, aiming to support global electrification by exploring critical technologies and materials for long-life, high-performance battery applications, complementing its existing battery testing equipment and services.
NOVONIX’s planned product development is centred on incorporating advanced analysis techniques, anomaly detection tools, and machine learning to provide accurate lifetime prediction using NOVONIX’s UHPC testing equipment and data.
