Toyota (NYSE:TM) said today that Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA), inclusive of Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) R&D, has been selected to receive $4.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The funding is part of the Catalyzing Innovative Research for Circular Use of Long-lived Advanced Rechargeables (CIRCULAR) Program, designed to support a circular domestic supply chain for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
“As it stands, this project and program will highlight avenues for everyone to rethink their approach to battery circularity, and help prioritize the extension of battery life, facilitate battery reuse, and reduce battery waste while unveiling the appropriate pathways to achieve such priorities,” said Nik Singh, principal scientist at TRINA (Toyota Research Institute of North America) who is Principal Investigator on this project. “This is only made possible by the collaboration between the exceptional teams comprised within this project group.”
(The TRINA division will administer the project – Development of an Autonomous Robotic Disassembly Process for Applications in Battery Pack Circularity – in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Baker Hughes’ inspection technology product line, Waygate Technologies to pursue the project goals.
The concepts developed within this project will also be applied in industrial settings led by TMNA’s Battery Lifecycle Solutions (BLS), Business Development Team.
“This collaboration represents a significant step forward in developing sustainable solutions for the battery lifecycle”, said Sarah Kennedy, BLS manager who is leading the technology to market deployment. “By applying the innovations established from this project, we aim to create a framework that not only reduces battery waste but also enhances the circularity of our battery supply chain, supporting Toyota’s commitment to sustainability and mobility.”
As end-of-life and battery scrap volumes increase in the coming years, a new approach is needed to extend the useful life of many standard battery pack components, and conserve their initial techno-economic investments, paving the way for a more sustainable, circular battery supply chain.
“We will generate processes to streamline reusing and refurbishing valuable battery cells and modules from end-of-life packs, without having to scan every single battery pack every single time,” said Marm Dixit, who is co-leading ORNL’s contributions to the project. “By extending the life of the battery components, we reduce their total emissions per mile. That’s a big deal for the role EVs can play in the energy transition.”
“NREL’s expertise in advanced electrochemical analysis using machine learning and imaging using nano computed tomography will enable rapid assessment of state of health, remaining useful life and failure mode of end-of-life Toyota cells, modules and pack,” said Ankit Verma, NREL staff scientist.
“This research partnership underlines our position as an inspection technology leader in the field of non-destructive testing,” commented Neil Bloomfield, global battery segment leader for Waygate Technologies at Baker Hughes, which will primarily provide state-of-the-art computed tomography and ultrasonic systems for battery inspection. “With this project, we are honored and committed to actively contribute to the energy transition, which is an integral part of our company’s strategy.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Toyota to Get $4.5M in Fed Funding for EV Batteries
Toyota (NYSE:TM) said today that Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA), inclusive of Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) R&D, has been selected to receive $4.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The funding is part of the Catalyzing Innovative Research for Circular Use of Long-lived Advanced Rechargeables (CIRCULAR) Program, designed to support a circular domestic supply chain for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
“As it stands, this project and program will highlight avenues for everyone to rethink their approach to battery circularity, and help prioritize the extension of battery life, facilitate battery reuse, and reduce battery waste while unveiling the appropriate pathways to achieve such priorities,” said Nik Singh, principal scientist at TRINA (Toyota Research Institute of North America) who is Principal Investigator on this project. “This is only made possible by the collaboration between the exceptional teams comprised within this project group.”
(The TRINA division will administer the project – Development of an Autonomous Robotic Disassembly Process for Applications in Battery Pack Circularity – in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Baker Hughes’ inspection technology product line, Waygate Technologies to pursue the project goals.
The concepts developed within this project will also be applied in industrial settings led by TMNA’s Battery Lifecycle Solutions (BLS), Business Development Team.
“This collaboration represents a significant step forward in developing sustainable solutions for the battery lifecycle”, said Sarah Kennedy, BLS manager who is leading the technology to market deployment. “By applying the innovations established from this project, we aim to create a framework that not only reduces battery waste but also enhances the circularity of our battery supply chain, supporting Toyota’s commitment to sustainability and mobility.”
As end-of-life and battery scrap volumes increase in the coming years, a new approach is needed to extend the useful life of many standard battery pack components, and conserve their initial techno-economic investments, paving the way for a more sustainable, circular battery supply chain.
“We will generate processes to streamline reusing and refurbishing valuable battery cells and modules from end-of-life packs, without having to scan every single battery pack every single time,” said Marm Dixit, who is co-leading ORNL’s contributions to the project. “By extending the life of the battery components, we reduce their total emissions per mile. That’s a big deal for the role EVs can play in the energy transition.”
“NREL’s expertise in advanced electrochemical analysis using machine learning and imaging using nano computed tomography will enable rapid assessment of state of health, remaining useful life and failure mode of end-of-life Toyota cells, modules and pack,” said Ankit Verma, NREL staff scientist.
“This research partnership underlines our position as an inspection technology leader in the field of non-destructive testing,” commented Neil Bloomfield, global battery segment leader for Waygate Technologies at Baker Hughes, which will primarily provide state-of-the-art computed tomography and ultrasonic systems for battery inspection. “With this project, we are honored and committed to actively contribute to the energy transition, which is an integral part of our company’s strategy.”
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.