Lithium metal batteries are on track to challenge conventional lithium-ion technologies and could revolutionize energy storage, according to Emilie Bodoin, CEO of Pure Lithium. In a recent interview, Bodoin, who co-founded the battery technology firm in 2020, predicted that lithium-ion batteries may soon become obsolete.
Bodoin highlighted the limitations of current lithium-ion batteries, stating that they were originally designed for devices like handheld camcorders, with energy capacities of only 100 Wh per kilogram. She emphasized that these batteries cannot meet the growing global energy demands.
For several years, Bodoin has focused on developing rechargeable, non-flammable lithium metal batteries that can achieve energy densities exceeding 400 Wh per kg while eliminating the need for nickel, cobalt, or graphite. However, she acknowledged the challenges in producing lithium metal, which requires high temperatures and generates harmful byproducts. Currently, lithium metal constitutes only 1% of the lithium market, with significant barriers to commercializing lithium metal batteries.
To innovate, Pure Lithium has paired a lithium metal anode with a vanadium cathode, opting for vanadium due to its stability and higher energy density compared to traditional materials. This combination promises a more compact battery that lasts longer and costs less to produce.
The company has heavily patented its technology and aims to license it to other manufacturers while also establishing its own production sites in North America, Australia, and other allied nations. Bodoin expressed a desire for widespread adoption of this technology, recognizing that no single company can build a sufficient number of battery factories alone.
Pure Lithium has secured funding from various investors, including Occidental Petroleum's Oxy Low Carbon Ventures, which has enabled the company to explore partnerships for sourcing lithium brines. Although they considered acquiring a lithium mine, they ultimately chose to focus on their innovative battery technology.
