[Press Release] 3DC Initiates Joint Research with Professor Yamada of Osaka University, Renowned for His Achievements in High-Concentration Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

– Aiming to Develop Lithium-Ion Batteries with Extended Usage Time per Charge –

3DC Inc. (Headquarters: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture; CEO: Takuma Kuroda, CSO: Hirotomo Nishihara), a company dedicated to the development, manufacture, and supply of innovative carbon materials ‘Graphene MesoSponge^® (GMS)’ to accelerate battery evolution, has announced a joint research collaboration with Professor Yuki Yamada of Osaka University, who is renowned for his achievements in high-concentration electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries.

Through this joint research, 3DC aims to develop high-capacity lithium-ion batteries that offer longer usage times per charge, contributing to the advancement of battery technology and the realization of a decarbonized society.

Background of the Joint Research

Amid the global shift towards a sustainable society, the decarbonization sector has garnered significant attention. One of the pivotal strategies for achieving decarbonization is the electrification of society, with lithium-ion batteries playing a crucial role. Due to their compact size and long lifespan compared to other secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries are considered essential for the proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) and the expansion of renewable energy solutions.

Among the various performance metrics of lithium-ion batteries, the amount of electricity they can store per charge (capacity) is particularly important. Since their commercialization in 1991, lithium-ion batteries have evolved primarily through improvements in active materials, such as positive electrode materials, which determine their capacity.

To realize a decarbonized society, batteries with even higher capacities than those currently available are needed. However, lithium-ion batteries face a dilemma: increasing capacity often leads to trade-offs in other characteristics, such as lifespan and input/output performance. This trade-off has posed a significant challenge for researchers. The next-generation carbon material ‘Graphene MesoSponge^® (GMS)’, developed by 3DC, is believed to help resolve this issue.

In lithium-ion batteries, materials known as conductive additives must be dispersed in contact with active materials to enhance electrode conductivity. 3DC has developed and is selling ‘Conductive Additive GMS’,  an adaptation of GMS for this purpose. To achieve further capacity improvements in lithium-ion batteries using Conductive Additive GMS, 3DC has initiated a joint research project with Professor Yuki Yamada of Osaka University, who has extensive research experience in high-concentration electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries.

Joint Research Partner: Professor Yuki Yamada of Osaka University

Professor, The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University

Professor Yuki Yamada received his Ph.D. in Engineering from Kyoto University in 2010. Following his doctorate, he joined the Department of Chemical System Engineering at The University of Tokyo as an Assistant Professor. He became a Lecturer in 2018 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2020. Since April 2021, he has held his current position at Osaka University.

He is a leading expert in Japan on the development of high-concentration electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries. His research also includes the development of novel electrolyte materials for next-generation secondary batteries and the creation of new reactions enabling high-density energy storage. He has extensive experience in collaborative research with major domestic and international manufacturers. He is involved in Japan’s national project “Green Technologies for Excellence (GteX) Program” aimed at realizing GX, where he serves as the Group Leader in the ‘Development of Lithium Batteries with High Temperature Stability, Long Cycle Life and High Energy Density’.

For more information about his research, visit the laboratory’s website: https://www.sanken.osaka-u.ac.jp/labs/eem/index.html

Joint Research Details

Lithium-ion batteries are primarily composed of three components: electrodes, separators, and electrolytes. Electrolytes are solutions in which lithium salts are dissolved in an organic solvent. High-concentration electrolytes, where the concentration of lithium salts is significantly increased, are known to be less prone to decomposition even in high-voltage environments.

Since lithium-ion batteries achieve greater capacity at higher charging voltages, high-concentration electrolytes are considered crucial for increasing battery capacity. However, even if the electrolyte can handle high voltage, it is meaningless if other materials, such as conductive additives, cannot. Traditional conductive additives tend to degrade at an increased rate at elevated voltages, necessitating the development of conductive additives that can withstand such conditions.

In this joint research, by combining the state-of-the-art electrolytes developed by Professor Yamada, designed to perform in high-voltage environments, with 3DC’s conductive additive GMS, we aim to achieve further increased capacity in lithium-ion batteries. The Conductive Additive GMS has characteristics such as high resistance to degradation and the ability to absorb structural changes in the electrode through elastic deformation. These features are expected to contribute to the realization of high-voltage lithium-ion batteries.

Objectives of the Joint Research

By combining Professor Yamada’s cutting-edge electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries with 3DC’s Conductive Additive GMS, we aim to enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries and contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society.

Comments from Takuma Kuroda (CEO, 3DC Inc.)

We have been deeply impressed by Professor Yamada’s profound expertise and accomplishments in research and development, which led us to propose this collaboration. We are genuinely excited to embark on this joint research!

In the complex field of batteries, the value of collaboration is evident every day. Through our joint research with Professor Yamada, we aim to uncover the yet-unknown secrets of lithium-ion batteries and push the boundaries of what is possible!

What is GMS ?

GMS is a unique ‘three-dimensional graphene’ material, possessing a sponge-like structure with a thickness of just one carbon atom. Its most remarkable feature is its physical compliance, allowing it to elastically deform like rubber and easily adapt to the intense structural changes (swelling) associated with battery charging and discharging. 3DC is the sole developer of such a ‘elastically deformable carbon material’ globally. In addition to its flexibility, GMS also possesses porosity, conductivity and corrosion resistance due to its material and structure. These multiple superior properties make GMS an innovative material that is globally recognized for potentially solving the trade-off problem in lithium-ion batteries, where improving capacity often leads to detrimental effects of other properties.

What is ‘Conductive Additive GMS’ ?

This product is a special version of GMS tailored for use as a conductive additive in lithium-ion batteries. 3DC’s ‘Conductive Additive GMS’ features a unique structure that efficiently forms high conductivity paths, enabling performance enhancement of high-voltage, high-rate cathodes and silicon-based anodes expected to achieve high energy density. This is achieved even with a lower addition rate than traditional conductive additives such as carbon black or carbon nanotubes.

About 3DC Inc.

3DC is a venture company spun out of Tohoku University dedicated to the development of a new carbon material called Graphene MesoSponge^® (GMS). This innovative material is intended for use in the electrodes of essential energy storage and generation devices, such as lithium-ion batteries, next-generation batteries, capacitors, and fuel cells, which are critical for a decarbonized society.

3DC is actively collaborating with domestic and international battery manufacturers, battery material producers, capacitor manufacturers, and automotive OEMs to demonstrate the capabilities of GMS in preparation for full-scale market entry after 2026. The data collected to date, particularly for lithium-ion batteries, has demonstrated advantages over existing products, resulting in significant interest from battery manufacturers.

In January 2024, 3DC successfully raised 250 million yen in the first close of its pre-Series A funding round. Subsequently, in February 2024, we began shipping ‘Conductive Additive GMS‘, which enhances the performance of lithium-ion batteries, and are now vigorously preparing to establish a full-scale manufacturing system.

Our long-term goal is to realize a society that is kind to both the environment and people, in which GMS plays a vital role in every aspect of electrical energy storage and use.

Join Our Team!

3DC is on the lookout for individuals eager to join us in our mission towards achieving a decarbonized society. We are especially interested in candidates who can contribute in the areas of “Battery Application Research,” “Materials Analysis,” “Technical Sales,” and “Business Development.”

If you’re interested, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us through the following channels:

Recruitment Form: https://www.3dc.co.jp/recruit/
Email: info@3dc.co.jp
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3dc-inc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3dcinc

<Company Info>
Name: 3DC Inc.
Head office：Material Solutions Center 203 Laboratory, Tohoku University, 2-1-1, Katahira, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, MIyagi Prefecture
Founders：Takuma Kuroda (CEO), Hirotomo Nishihara (CSO)
Established：February, 2022
URL：https://www.3dc.co.jp/en
Main Business：Development and manufacturing of carbon materials

<Contact Info>
Web:  https://www.3dc.co.jp/en/contact/
E-mail：info@3dc.co.jp

If you are interested in more information about GMS, joint research with 3DC, or an R&D job at 3DC, please feel free to contact us!!