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The battery Show North America 2019: A Q&A with Global Brand Director John Lewinski

Q: Give us a 30,000-ft overview of this year’s
Battery Show North America. 
   
A: The battery has evolved drastically over the years, specifically the applications, technology, and materials used, and how they power virtually every aspect of our everyday lives. 
 
Supporting this growth, The Battery Show 2019 brings together innovators, engineers, and industry leaders via a comprehensive showcase covering every stage crucial to the advanced battery supply chain, from advanced materials, battery design, manufacturing, and stationary power. As automotive growth is exploding – Global Electric Vehicle Market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of +21% by 2030, according to Research and Markets – the Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo, which is exclusively dedicated to power systems in electric and hybrid electric vehicles, complements The Battery Show, taking place in Novi, MI, from Sept. 10-12, 2019, at the Suburban Collection Showplace.  
 
Q: What are some of the key trends for battery manufacturing in general?
A: A key trend attributing to the battery manufacturing industry’s growth is the rising interest and investment in electric and hybrid electric vehicles – estimates from the International Energy Agency predicts there will be 140 million electric cars on the roads by 2030. Vehicles with an internal combustible engine primarily used lead-acid batteries, but we’re seeing manufacturers invest heavily in new materials and technology to support today’s transition to electric vehicles that are powered by lithium-ion batteries. Today, China dominates the global market. The Battery Show will feature an international pavilion, serving as a platform to bring together the latest state-of-the-art in battery-making, EV production and component manufacturing, and more. 
 
Another trend transforming battery manufacturing we’re seeing is lightweighting. Vehicle manufactures are embracing lightweight materials for core machinery, in order to achieve condensed and lighter, while still powerful electric drive mechanisms. 
 
Q: What new machinery and material developments will be on display for flexible, thin-film batteries?
A: KOA Speer Electronics Inc.
KOA offers a wide range of products including thick and thin film resistors; power shunts, current sensing resistors; thermal sensors, varistors; and LTCC’s and modules. The company is constantly expanding its line of passive components and its willingness to engineer new designs makes it the ideal partner to help make your concept a reality!
(Booth 2537)
 
Viking Tech America Corporation
VIKING TECH CORPORATION manufacturers automotive resistors, RF inductors and MLCC for a wide range of applications. We specialize in current sense, low ohm, shunt, MELF, thick film, pulse withstanding and thin film precision resistors. IATF16949, AEC Q200, VDA6.3
(Booth 2750)
 
Backer Heating Technologies, Inc.
Backer manufacturers thin, flexible, foil circuits used for resistance heating, electrical circuits, sensors, antennas, and more. This etched circuit technology provides precise, dependable, and innovative capabilities for many applications. The company’s customized designs are made to meet the thermal requirements for optimizing the operation and life of your battery.
(Booth 2031)
 
EMUS, UAB
EMUS was established in 2010. Our main area of activity and expertise – we produce intelligent and highly flexible lithium battery management systems that are applicable almost anywhere, starting from small, mass produced electric vehicles, ending with large projects, such as extremely high capacity backup power supplies or grid stabilization devices.
(Booth 2923)
 
Q: What new applications are being tested for, and what successes have there been for batteries? 
A: New applications are being tested across industries, from payment cards to shipping. However, the most sophisticated advances are seen in electric vehicles. As EV growth continues, we’ll see a growing market for battery second life for stationary purposes, an application in its infancy.
 
After a useful first-life being subjected to extreme working conditions such as high temperatures, running on partial cycles a year, harmful discharge rates, EV batteries still have the capacity to perform for less-demanding applications as stationary energy-storage services. Several companies have already begun to embrace this stationary use in smart grids use as recently seen with Mercedes-Benz Energy and its partnership with Beijing Electric Vehicle Co. (BJEV) where both companies have agreed to establish and test the first second-life energy storage system in Beijing. While the market for second life batteries for stationary purposes is still in its early stage, this trend is the next impactful and highly sensible move in the battery industry.
 
Q: And for thin-film batteries? 
A: Compared to its conventional Li-ion battery counterpart, the industry is now looking toward thin-film batteries to push forward the solar energy-powered vehicle due to its low self-discharge rate perfect for wireless sensors. Most notably, car manufacturing giant, Toyota, has unveiled its use of thin-film batteries in its solar-powered version of the Prius and claimed it was able to achieve approximately 5x higher output when compared to the commercial Prius model.
 
Q: What solutions are being worked on for recycling
for any and all kinds of batteries? 

A: Just as consumers increasingly open their wallets for lithium-ion battery-powered portable devices, we will see more and more electric and hybrid electric vehicles on the roads. Meaning, we need a solution for the impending mountains of used lithium batteries. Currently, there is no large-scale recycling solution, but the top minds at The Battery Show are putting their heads together.
 
In fact, the conference features a handful of sessions dissecting the challenges ahead regarding regulation and legislation.  

Although there is currently no clear path for large-scale battery recycling, that does not mean the industry can’t realign focus. Right now, engineers and manufacturers seek to lower costs, decrease battery size, whilst increasing capacity—adding recyclability into its objectives could have the potential to expand Li-ion batteries beyond just one use.

John Lewinski is the global brand director of The Battery Show Europe and The Battery Show North America at Informa Markets, a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B events and exhibitions organizers in the world. Lewinski oversees the global growth and strategy for events within Informa Markets’ Advanced Manufacturing Group, The Battery Show and the Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Tech Expo.


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