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((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Argonne EV Developments
HEADLINE: US Laboratory Innovating Electronic Vehicle Technology
TEASER: Reusing raw materials reduces the need to extract resources such as lithium, graphite, cobalt, and manganese from the natural environment
PUBLISHED AT: 4/26/2022 , 5:31 pm
BYLINE: Kane Farabaugh
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Chicago
VIDEOGRAPHER: Kane Farabaugh, Mike Burke
PRODUCER: Kane Farabaugh
SCRIPT EDITORS: Bowman, MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 2:56
VID APPROVED BY: Holly Franko
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:
((INTRODUCTION))
[[Many of the technological advances in lithium ion batteries that now power many electric vehicles began in a laboratory just outside Chicago’s city limits decades ago. VOA’s Kane Farabaugh reports on new innovations at Argonne National Laboratory preparing for the next-generation needs of drivers.]]
((Don Hillebrand, Energy Systems Division Director))
“A lot of the chemistries that you are going to see in cars are partly or completely developed by the Department of Energy and a big portion of that happens at Argonne National Lab as well.”
((NARRATOR))
Some of the components that make up the lithium-ion battery system in vehicles like the Ford Mustang Mach E, an all-electric car and sport utility crossover, descended from systems Hillebrand and his team at Argonne developed over decades.
((Don Hillebrand, Energy Systems Division Director))
“We did some of the base development on that, and then we processed some of that as well and developed methods by which it could be manufactured.”
((NARRATOR))
Hillebrand says he isn’t surprised it’s taken this long for electric vehicle or E-V technology to take off.
((Don Hillebrand, Energy Systems Division Director))
“Fuel prices dictate how we go, consumer choice and consumer preferences. New technologies are competing with the electrics at the same time.”
((NARRATOR))
But now that the electric vehicle age has arrived, there are new challenges, including increased demand for new batteries and competition for the resources that go in them.
((Jeff Spangenberger, ReCell Center Director))
“These batteries that we are projected to need for all this electric vehicle transportation are going to start to dig into that quantity of material that we have. // And really, we need to take care of the resources we have – we don’t want to waste them.”
((NARRATOR))
Jeff Spangenberger is the Director of the ReCell Center, another division developing innovative transportation technology at Argonne.
((Jeff Spangenberger, ReCell Center Director))
“A center that’s focused on improving the economics of battery recycling.”
((NARRATOR))
Reusing raw materials reduces the need to extract resources such as lithium, graphite, cobalt, and manganese from the natural environment.
((Jeff Spangenberger, ReCell Center Director))
“It’s important that once we produce these from the ground once, we keep them in the battery circle. We don’t have to dig up more. // It can ultimately be cheaper to make battery raw materials from recycled content.”
((NARRATOR))
Right now, says Spangenberger, there aren’t many electric vehicles nearing the end of the usage of the battery components in them. But that’s about to change.
((Jeff Spangenberger, ReCell Center Director))
“Sales are increasing dramatically, and so starting around mid-2020s and around 2030 we are going to start seeing the term “million tons of end-of-life batteries becoming available.”
((NARRATOR))
Which is why his team at Argonne’s ReCell Center is working to make the recycling process more efficient.
((Jeff Spangenberger, ReCell Center Director))
“There is a huge opportunity to improve the processes that recycle them to improve the economics.”
((Don Hillebrand, Energy Systems Division Director))
“When it comes to the basic invention of the materials, we are way ahead.”
((NARRATOR))
But the U.S. lags in electric passenger vehicle sales behind China, which has more than 400 registered “New Energy Vehicle” brands.
Don Hillebrand says innovation at the ReCell Center and across Argonne on transportation technology initiatives benefit U.S. manufacturers in the increasingly competitive global automotive industry.
((Don Hillebrand, Energy Systems Division Director))
“This is an excellent example of how government and industry can work together and solve big problems, pretty competitive problems that everyone wants to see solved, and develop technologies that make the world a better place. It’s an excellent example of that all working together.”
((NARRATOR))
Kane Farabaugh, VOA News, Chicago.
NewsML Media TopicsScience and Technology
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateApril 26, 2022 17:43 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
