Integral Technologies announces breakthrough bipolar batteryIntegral Technologies announces breakthrough bipolar battery
July 18, 2016

Integral Technologies Inc.’s wholly owned subsidiary ElectriPlast Corp. (Bellingham, WA) recently announced the invention of a patent pending, conductive-plastic bipolar plate that will be developed into a lightweight, moldable and cost-effective battery. This is another example of ElectriPlast’s lightweighting technology serving a new market vertical: Batteries and power storage. The ElectriPlast bipolar plate provides further benefits to manufacturers and end users, as it reduces steps and time in the manufacturing process, provides flexibility in the form factor of the battery and is environmentally friendly.
Integral Technologies and ElectriPlast engage in the discovery, development and commercialization of electrically conductive hybrid plastics used primarily as raw materials in the production of industrial, commercial and consumer products and services worldwide. Its core material, ElectriPlast, is a non-corrosive, electrically conductive resin-based material whose properties allow it to be molded into any of the infinite shapes and sizes associated with plastics, rubbers and other polymers while reducing component weight by 40 to 60%.
“A view shared by many throughout the industry is that lead-acid technology is reaching a sunset phase in the development cycle,” said Doug Bathauer, President and CEO, Integral Technologies, in a prepared statement. “This is evident by the ongoing efforts to develop other technologies. While lithium ion, for example, is taking center stage, lead acid is still the tried-and-true technology.”
The worldwide demand for lead-acid batteries was estimated to be $44.7 billion in 2014 and is “projected to reach $58.5 billion by 2020,” stated a report in Future Market Insights. “Based on our high-volume processing capability and elimination of the multiple components needed to assemble other material-based plates, our conductive-polymer-based bipolar plate is very cost effective,” Bathauer stated. “Working within the industry and with the Integral Advisory Board, we are in the process of developing partnerships to realize the potential of this new market segment.”
“ElectriPlast’s unique properties allow us to tailor the conductivity and resistance of the bipolar plate substrate and subsequent surface treatment processes to create a low-resistance bipolar plate as the contact to the active paste materials,” said Slobodan “Bob” Paviovic, Vice President Engineering of ElectriPlast, who directs material research, product development and design initiatives for the company. “Our bipolar plate is created using a molding process enabling the creation of assembly interfaces that are suitable for multiple sealing solutions, which vary from sonic/vibration welding to integrated seals compatible with battery environments. Mechanically robust, the polymer-based structure of the bipolar plate allows for ease of handling and assembly as well as resistance to stresses in the battery environment.”
Mohammad Zeidan, CTO for ElectriPlast, added, “The molding process allows us to produce 3D shapes that allow the bipolar plate and integral structures to be produced in any desired form. We are able to create reliable seals between the plates and enclosure to prevent electrolyte leaking.”
About the Author
You May Also Like