Morrow, Gamma team on battery digital twin tech

Business news | August 21, 2023

By Nick Flaherty

Morrow Batteries is working with simulation tool developer Gamma Technologies (GT) on a physics-based digital twin of its battery cells.

The partnership will digitise Morrow’s R&D processes using GT’s simulations to gain insight into the batteries that would be difficult or impossible to measure using physical testing. The Norwegian company is developing a prismatic cell with next generation Lithium Nickel Manganese Oxide (LNMO) technology and plans to produce the cells early next year at a pilot line in Korea.

GT’s simulation software, GT-SUITE, enables system integration, analysis and optimisation through physics-based libraries. The company also develops the leading electrochemical simulation software, GT-AutoLion, used by battery suppliers and OEMs for cell and pack design.

LNMO replaces cobalt with cheap and abundant manganese as a scaffold to better use the lithium and nickel inside the battery cell. This means that the batteries are significantly more sustainable than existing technology, and the company can now create batteries that are not only more environmentally friendly but also more cost-effective, but requires substantial analysis.

“To succeed in the energy transition and build a sustainable energy system, we must develop better cell technology and chemistry. This is the most significant step towards realising that ambition yet. I am proud of this tremendous achievement for our research team and all of Morrow. This truly carries our “DNA”,” says CEO Lars Christian Bacher of Morrow.

Morrow’s work on LNMO battery cell technology started two years ago, with the team having made significant progress the last year. The company can now not only produce LNMO electrodes in lab-scale, but in kilometres under industrial conditions. The prototype cells have also passed all safety tests.

LNMO cells made by Morrow will be branched into two product offerings. The first cells, LNMO-X, can supercharge heavy mobility (trains, trucks, and ferries) and the long-life Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) markets.

“We are continuously improving this technology and have achieved faster and safer supercharging than we thought possible, which greatly improves performance under more challenging conditions such as cold weather. Partners and customers are very excited and have shown great interest in learning more about this R&D milestone,” says Co-Founder and CTO Rahul Fotedar of Morrow.

The deal with Gamma to develop battery digital twin technology is key for improving the development process for its cells.

“This is a milestone for Morrow Batteries, enabling us to accelerate our battery cell technology development. GT’s innovative technology reduces the need to build and test on real cells – which helps us reduce costs. Morrow must choose the appropriate and most suitable battery chemistry and materials. Through simulations, we can study a larger design space to find the optimal solutions that are best suited as we continue developing the world’s most cost-effective and sustainable batteries,” said Dr. Rahul Fotedar, Co-Founder and CTO of Morrow Batteries.

“This partnership underscores our relentless focus on battery R&D investments and customer success. We are excited to work closely with Morrow and empower their engineering teams with the ability to deliver optimal cell performance while maximising safety and minimising degradation. We look forward to continuing to work with them as battery technologies and related challenges evolve,” stated Iakovos Papadimitriou, CTO of Gamma Technologies.

“We are happy to partner with Morrow Batteries to support the development of their innovative chemistry cell solutions. The journey has just started, and we are equally passioned to deliver on a vision for sustainability most efficiently. We look forward to joint success,” said Akrem Mouffouk, Scandinavia Regional Manager for Gamma Technologies.

www.morrow.com; www.gtisoft.com