Example 1 – Recently, a researcher from a US government agency approached us to develop a specific LiNiMn-oxide composition for a large internal R&D program. They had developed a proprietary composition and expected it to have a high capacity, but needed someone to produce the material for them. We set up a small purchasing contract that allowed us to first produce a 100 g batch for evaluation. The initial capacity and cycling capability of the material were most promising, primarily because we were able to produce a highly ordered material. We then produced kilogram quantities and are now supplying them to the research group at the agency. It is envisioned that we will produce increasingly larger quantities that will be used in prototype batteries. Further, we will simultaneously optimize the particle characteristics. We are also now being asked by this agency to produce different compositions within the same class of material.  

Example 2 - In 2007, we were engaged by a battery fabrication company who had been using a non-graphitic anode material, but required a higher performance for both energy density and cycle life. They were using a contract manufacturer in Asia for final battery assembly. Working with their design engineers in the US and their manufacturing partner in Asia, we first produced 10 kilogram samples for them to test and determine the optimum particle characteristics. We used the feedback to suitably modify our synthesis process so as to deliver to them powders that had the desirable electrochemical properties. After a second round of development and production testing, our customer is now moving from an R&D stage to a product implementation stage. NEI is fully committed to working with this customer to meet all their anode material requirements.