Li battery manufacturers rely on Adphos BearLite drying solution

The BearLite (Battery electrode advanced rapid Light Initiated Thermal Emission) technology, developed and trademarked by Adphos, is based on the combination of a high-power photonic energy input with integrated, temperature-controlled, defined local mass transformer of the liquid vapor to dry the wet electrode slurry. Unlike all other potential drying systems (based on hot air convection, infrared, induction, laser or microwaves), the BearLite process enables complete drying of wet layers up to more than 300 µm coating thickness in single-digit seconds, according to the manufacturer. This does not involve the otherwise unavoidable cracking and adhesion-strength loss resulting from binder migration.

The BearLite process has been successfully demonstrated on several dozen commercial and potential formulations of aqueous and solvent-based anode and cathode slurries. Cells manufactured using this process confirm at least equivalent, and in some cases even improved, cell performance in terms of capacity as well as reduced aging (extension of charge/discharge cycles). After the BearLite technology has been classified with a TRL (Technology Readiness Level) of 7-8 by independent technical institutions so far, the commercial production proof with the currently emerging BearLite plants is expected with planned production start from the fourth quarter of 2023. Adphos BearLite electrode drying reduces the current required drying length to a maximum of 15 percent. This is accompanied by a reduction in energy consumption of up to 90 percent. In addition, the investment and operating costs for the plant and media infrastructure systems can be reduced by factors.