LITHIUM TECHNOLOGY

With a high energy density, and established ionic transport properties, lithium provides the basis for the next generation of all solid state energy storage and electrochromic devices. Utilizing a solid state glassy electrolyte, lithium devices (such as batteries and electrochomics) possess not only unique electrochemical stability in contact with elemental lithium, but also the ability to be directly integrated into structural platforms such as reinforcement fibers and honeycomb cores, as well as flexible, conformable platforms.

ITN's Lithium Technology division is composed of three subdivisions:

LITHIUM ELECTROCHROMICS
With an ever-increasing need to improve energy efficiency, Electrochromics (EC) presents a valuable opportunity to significantly reduce energy consumption. Within its application to windows, EC refers to windows that change light transmission properties in response to voltage, thus allowing users to either manually or automatically control the tinting or amount of light and heat that passes through a window.

ITN’s Lithium EC subdivision is focused on the development and commercialization of EC thin-films, and EC-enabled windows (aka Smart Windows). ITN’s EC thin-film/window technology product consists of an all solid-state EC film on thin, flexible plastic that reversibly changes color (tint) with the application of a low voltage.

Architectural surveys reveal a tremendous desire to integrate EC windows in support of net zero energy buildings, but high production, integration, and distribution costs limit adoption of current EC products. Currently, the competitive market price of EC windows is approximately $100/ft², too high for most customers. ITN has a projected introductory selling price of $25/ft². As an industry, Electrochromics is an emerging, and yet-undefined sector, however, it broadly fits within the established Advanced Flat Glass industry, which approached $8 Billion in 2010, and will near $10 Billion by 2015. Within the industry, the Smart Glass sector generated nearly $1 Billion in 2010, and will exceed $1.34 Billion by 2015.

SOLID-STATE LITHIUM BATTERY
With an ever-increasing need to improve the capability and safety of lithium-based energy storage technologies/products, Solid State Lithium Battery (SSLB) development and commercialization presents a valuable opportunity to overcome current technology/product limitations, and capitalize on growing consumer demands.

ITN’s SSLB subdivision focuses on the development and commercialization of a proprietary thin-film battery technology with an unprecedented cycle life, and minimal product footprint. Because of such differentiating features over conventional battery technologies, ITN’s SSLB is uniquely appropriate for applications including medical implants, defense & aerospace, remote sensors, and consumer electronic products.

Advantages of ITN’s SSLB technology over competing technologies include direct application for long-life products, excellent duty-cycle matching to minimize battery footprint, inherently consumer-safe design (no fires/explosions/leaks), and appropriateness for direct, printed energy storage on/in product packaging. As the thin-film battery industry exceeds $1 Billion in annual revenues, ITN is positioned to emerge as a leader within this important and growing field.

LITHIUM AIR BATTERY
With the Energy Storage industry nearing the theoretical limits of Lithium-Ion Battery technology, Lithium-Air Battery (LAB) development and commercialization enables the potential to move beyond traditional battery technology, and into a new era of energy storage capability and performance.

ITN’s LAB subdivision is focused on the development and commercialization of a solid-state LAB with a 3X energy density improvement, reduced manufacturing/consumer cost, and safer operating performance compared with industry-standard Lithium-Ion products/technology. In terms of performance, ITN’s LAB achieves a 3X active, and 8X theoretical energy density improvement over industry-standard Lithium Ion products/technology. Furthermore, improved performance is achieved with no increase to manufacturing cost (compared with Lithium-Ion technology), effectively resulting in a 67% reduction in industry standard manufacturing/consumer costs. With tremendous commercial potential and direct market applications within the Consumer Electronics, Portable Power, Transportation, and Utilities industries, ITN’s LAB will revolutionize the power storage industry, and transform products within multiple industrial segments.