Latest news with #lithiumionbatteries
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Cargo ship transporting thousands of cars sinks in Pacific after fire
A ship holding thousands of cars sank in the Pacific Ocean on Monday, weeks after a fire broke out on a deck that was holding electric vehicles – stoking industry concerns around transporting highly flammable batteries. The 182-metre-long Morning Midas had been adrift at sea since June 3, when flames broke out and the crew was forced to abandon ship. The ship was carrying 3,000 cars, including 800 EVs, when it sank in international waters approximately three miles deep, according to the ship's owner, London-based Zodiac Maritime. It had been weakened by fire damage and intense weather, the company said. 'As a precaution, two salvage tugs containing pollution control equipment remain on site to monitor for any signs of pollution or debris. Their crews are safe,' Zodiac Maritime told The Post in a statement. 'A specialised pollution response vessel is also en route to the location as an additional precaution.' The company said it is working with the US Coast Guard and Resolve Marine, which specialises in marine emergency response. The Coast Guard and Resolve Marine did not immediately respond to The Post's requests for comment. Most of the vehicles on board the vessel were made in China and headed toward Mexico. The sinking raises concerns about the dangers of the highly flammable lithium-ion batteries typically used in electric vehicles. Just two weeks ago, Waymo was forced to suspend service of its driverless EVs in downtown Los Angeles after anti-ICE protesters set five of its vehicles ablaze. Police officers warned residents to steer clear of the melted metal heaps, since the batteries can release toxic fumes, like hydrogen fluoride, when set on fire. In 2022, a 60,000-ton cargo ship called the Felicity Ace carrying thousands of luxury cars sank in the Atlantic Ocean after a fire on board burned for nearly a week. Experts hired to salvage the ship said the large amount of lithium batteries likely caused the fire to spread and stay ablaze for longer.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Warning after battery fire damages bin lorry
Fire crews have warned people to dispose of rechargeable batteries carefully after a fire badly damaged a bin lorry in Nottinghamshire. The alarm was raised at about 11:30 BST on Tuesday when smoke was seen coming from the vehicle as it passed through Rufford. Firefighters from Edwinstowe and Warsop, with additional support from Newark and Blidworth, responded, but the lorry suffered severe damage. This prompted station manager Charlotte Weatherall-Smith to warn that putting lithium-ion batteries in domestic waste bins posed "a real danger to the public". There are no reports of any injuries to the bin lorry team. Ms Weatherall-Smith said: "Incidents like this highlight the serious risks associated with disposing of lithium-ion batteries. "These batteries, which can be found in smartphones, laptops, vapes and e-scooters, can ignite when damaged, posing a real danger to the public. "We urge people to check with their local council or recycling centre for safe battery disposable options. "By disposing of batteries responsibly, we can help prevent future incidents from happening." Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Recycling blaze prompts battery disposal warning E-bike battery fires 'tearing through homes' - charity Crews called as dumped batteries 'explode' in fire Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service
TechCrunch
4 days ago
- Automotive
- TechCrunch
Nascent Materials emerges from stealth to make LFP batteries better and cheaper
Lithium-ion batteries have dropped in cost by 75% over the past decade, a marvel of research and development that isn't the result of a singular breakthrough but of myriad incremental improvements. Few know that better than Chaitanya Sharma, founder of the stealthy Nascent Materials. Sharma spent a little over two years working at Tesla's Gigafactory in Nevada and another two leading iM3NY, a lithium-ion manufacturer in New York. Since leaving iM3NY in November 2023, he's been working on a new way to process cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries — one of those small improvements that promises to continue driving down costs. Nascent's new process could improve energy density of the cathode by up to 12% while costing 30% less to make. 'In my mind, developing a new exotic chemistry is not really the way that I want to go,' Sharma told TechCrunch. 'I want to develop new ways of making material.' Sharma's manufacturing-focused approach has attracted early investment. Nascent recently raised $2.3 million in a seed round led by SOSV, the company exclusively told TechCrunch. The New Jersey Innovation Evergreen Fund and UM6P Ventures also participated. The startup's initial focus is on making lithium-ion-phosphate (LFP) and lithium-manganese-iron-phosphate, (LMFP), two cathode materials that have gained favor among automakers and data center operators. Recent improvements have brought LFP energy density closer to higher-end nickel- and cobalt-based chemistries but at much lower costs. But there's still room for improvement. Sharma said that obtaining materials with consistent quality was a challenge at iM3NY, one that contributed to the company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in January. Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW The problem stems from supply chain inequities. Large players like Tesla's Gigafactory, which it operates in partnership with Panasonic, tend to get more consistent material, Sharma said. 'The small players, which, by the way, spend $100 million to $200 million on their factories as well, they get the outlier material.' 'That really became the reason why I wanted to launch Nascent Materials — because I want to make sure that I provide consistent materials to all customers,' Sharma said. Cathode material tends to come in powders, and while it might look consistent to the naked eye, slight variations in the grains can have an outsized impact on the final result. Sharma said Nascent has developed a process that uses less energy while also promising to create particles that are more consistently sized and shaped. That allows the material to be packed more tightly, improving energy density. The process offers additional supply chain advantages. It can also use lower-purity raw materials, he said, opening up more domestic supplies. While Nascent is focused on LFP and LMFP today, Sharma said the company plans to expand to other chemistries, including nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) and lithium-manganese-rich (LMR), a relatively new chemistry that GM will introduce in 2028. That domestic focus addresses a critical industry dependency. Today, the vast majority of cathode material is made in China. 'How can I not rely on China for them?' Sharma said. 'That's really what we are focused on — simplifying the supply chain so we can utilize local raw materials, so that drives the cost down.'
Associated Press
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
UL Solutions Takes Aim at Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Risks with Innovative New Certification Programs for Battery Containment Enclosures and Micromobility Charging Equipment
NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 18, 2025-- UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS), a global leader in applied safety science, today announced its new testing and certification program for battery containment enclosures, including the battery charging or storage cabinets that are becoming more common on city sidewalks and in apartment buildings to address growing concerns around hazards of lithium-ion batteries for e-bikes. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: UL Solutions' new battery containment enclosure and micromobility charging equipment certification programs help address growing concerns and incidents around lithium-ion battery safety risks and thermal runaway events. Safety-certified battery containment enclosures are growing in popularity for use with e-bikes and other micromobility products, and are supported by fire departments, including the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), for their ability to contain fire and other hazards associated with thermal runaway. UL Solutions also launched services for micromobility charging equipment that can further help mitigate safety risks. Battery containment enclosures often resemble cabinets and are designed with safety features to contain battery thermal runaway fires and gases. They can be used to store and charge batteries, such as e-bike or power tool batteries, and help protect people around them if a thermal runaway event or battery fire occurs despite following proper battery maintenance and usage instructions from the manufacturer. 'The use of e-bikes is on the rise, and new products enter the market daily that tap the convenience and sustainability of batteries,' said Dr. Robert Slone, senior vice president and chief scientist at UL Solutions. 'Our new battery containment enclosure and micromobility charging equipment engineering evaluation, testing and certification services can help reduce the risks associated with the storage and charging of lithium-ion batteries and devices.' UL Solutions conducts engineering evaluations and tests battery containment enclosures per UL 1487, the Standard for Battery Containment Enclosures, a binational Standard for the United States and Canada. The FDNY Hazmat Command played an integral role in crafting this document. 'It's really important to have third-party experts test and certify battery containment enclosures and micromobility charging equipment to make sure they meet safety standards,' said Chief of Fire Prevention Thomas Currao, FDNY. 'For battery enclosures especially, this kind of testing shows they can contain dangerous situations like thermal runaway, which will help stop fires or explosions from spreading.' These tests evaluate a battery containment enclosure's ability to withstand battery thermal runaway events, including fire, explosion and shrapnel. Thermal runaway occurs when the lithium-ion battery enters an uncontrollable self-heating state that can produce fire, flammable and toxic smoke, and extremely high temperatures while ejecting harmful particulates. 'That kind of protection matters, whether it's in an apartment building, office or industrial space,' Currao added. 'Choosing certified equipment means we're taking smart steps to prevent battery hazards and make our city safer for the public and for our members.' UL Solutions evaluates and tests micromobility charging equipment per UL 4900, the Standard for Micromobility Charging Equipment, which is also a binational Standard for the United States and Canada. This Standard addresses the electric shock and fire risks of the charging infrastructure. About UL Solutions A global leader in applied safety science, UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) transforms safety, security and sustainability challenges into opportunities for customers in more than 110 countries. UL Solutions delivers testing, inspection and certification services, together with software products and advisory offerings, that support our customers' product innovation and business growth. The UL Mark serves as a recognized symbol of trust in our customers' products and reflects an unwavering commitment to advancing our safety mission. We help our customers innovate, launch new products and services, navigate global markets and complex supply chains, and grow sustainably and responsibly into the future. Our science is your advantage. View source version on CONTACT: Media contacts: Tyler Khan UL Solutions [email protected] T: +1 (847) 664.2139Steven Brewster UL Solutions [email protected] T: +1 (847) 664.8425 KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA ILLINOIS NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OTHER ENERGY HARDWARE BATTERIES ENERGY LAW ENFORCEMENT/EMERGENCY SERVICES TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY SCIENCE OTHER TECHNOLOGY OTHER SCIENCE PUBLIC POLICY/GOVERNMENT SOURCE: UL Solutions Inc Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/18/2025 07:15 PM/DISC: 06/18/2025 07:16 PM
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NEO Battery Materials Announces Closing of First Tranche of Private Placement
TORONTO, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NEO Battery Materials Ltd. ('NEO' or the 'Company') (TSXV: NBM) (OTC: NBMFF), a low-cost silicon anode materials developer that enables longer-running, rapid-charging lithium-ion batteries, is pleased to announce the closing of the first tranche (the 'First Tranche') of a non-brokered private placement (the 'Offering') through the issuance of 400,000 units (each, a 'Unit') at a price of $0.50 CAD per Unit (the 'Offering Price') for aggregate gross proceeds of $200,000 CAD. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a 'Common Share') and one non-transferable Common Share purchase warrant (each, a 'Warrant'). Each whole Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one Common Share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.75 CAD for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Offering. The use of proceeds will be allocated towards (i) scaling-up silicon battery research and development and production for large-scale battery manufacturing and testing, (ii) purchases of key manufacturing equipment, and (iii) working capital and general corporate overhead. In connection with the Offering, the Company paid to the finders: (i) an aggregate cash commission of $14,000 CAD, and (ii) 28,000 non-transferable warrants of the Company exercisable at an exercise price of $0.50 CAD for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Offering. The Units have been offered to purchasers outside of Canada pursuant to an exemption from the prospectus requirement available under Ontario Securities Commission Rule 72-503 – Distributions Outside Canada ('OSC 72-503'), and accordingly, the securities issued pursuant to OSC 72-503 will not be subject to resale restrictions. The Offering is not a Related Party Transaction as defined by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ('MI 61-101') and therefore is not subject to TSXV Policy 5.9. The Offering is subject to final acceptance of the TSXV. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the '1933 Act') or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities law, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. NEO Battery Materials is a Canadian battery materials technology company focused on developing silicon anode materials for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, electronics, and energy storage systems. With a patent-protected, low-cost manufacturing process, NEO Battery enables longer-running and ultra-fast charging batteries compared to existing state-of-the-art technologies. The Company aims to be a globally-leading producer of silicon anode materials for the electric vehicle and energy storage industries. For more information, please visit the Company's website at: On Behalf of the Board of DirectorsSpencer HuhDirector, President, and CEO For Investor Relations, PR & More Information:info@ T: +1 (437) 451-7678 This news release includes certain forward-looking statements as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. All information contained herein that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Generally, such forward-looking information can be identified notably by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: volatile stock prices; the general global markets and economic conditions; the possibility of write-downs and impairments; the risk associated with the research and development of advanced and battery-related technologies; the risk associated with the effectiveness and feasibility of technologies that have not yet been tested or proven on commercial scale; manufacturing process scale-up risks, including maintaining consistent material quality, production yields, and process reproducibility at a commercial scale; compatibility issues with existing battery chemistries and unforeseen the risks associated with entering into and maintaining collaborations, joint ventures, or partnerships with battery cell manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers, and various companies in the global battery supply chain; the risks associated with the construction, completion, and financing of commercial facilities including the Windsor and South Korean facilities; the risks associated with supply chain disruptions or cost fluctuations in raw materials, processing chemicals, and additive prices, impacting production costs and commercial viability; the risks associated with uninsurable risks arising during the course of research, development and production; competition faced by the Company in securing experienced personnel and financing; access to adequate infrastructure and resources to support battery materials research and development activities; the risks associated with changes in the technology regulatory regime governing the Company; the risks associated with the timely execution of the Company's strategies and business plans; the risks associated with the lithium-ion battery industry's demand and adoption of the Company's silicon anode technology; market adoption and integration challenges, including the difficulty of incorporating silicon anodes within battery manufacturers and OEMs systems; the risks associated with the various environmental and political regulations the Company is subject to; risks related to regulatory and permitting delays; the reliance on key personnel; liquidity risks; the risk of litigation; risk management; and other risk factors as identified in the Company's recent Financial Statements and MD&A and in recent securities filings for the Company which are available on Forward-looking information is based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made, including but not limited to, continued R&D and commercialization activities, no material adverse change in precursor prices, development and commercialization plans to proceed in accordance with plans and such plans to achieve their stated expected outcomes, receipt of required regulatory approvals, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information has been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's business, operations, research and development, and commercialization plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is made as of the date of this presentation, and the Company does not undertake to update such forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
