I think BlueSwims would be the best person to examine this carefully.
I will quote a little from their conclusion (underline is my own emphasis):
In summary, we have developed an all-dry method for producing single crystal lithium cathode materials with a layered structure. This method was developed from the following key discoveries:
• Ball milling a mixture of transition metal oxides can produce homogeneous Ni,Mn,Co-oxide precursors, even to the extent
of atomic mixing, so that previously unobserved (Ni, Mn, Co) O solid solution rock salt phase precursors can be formed.
• The final crystallite size of SC-NMC is only related to the heating conditions and has no relation to the precursor particle
size, as previously believed.
• A large crystallite size SC-NMC with low cation mixing can be achieved from ball milled precursors using a 2-step air/O2
sintering.
Using an all dry method instead of co-precipitation to synthesize precursors for SC cathode materials has significant implications. As reviewed in the introduction, the environmental benefits of an all dry method are apparent: it has high yield, produces little waste, and saves large amounts of water. Compared to the co-precipitation process, the dry process is significantly less complicated, as compared in Fig. S1. Such a large reduction in processing steps is typically associated with lower cost. Another advantage with the alldry method is that the choices of precursors can be more flexible than the co-precipitation method, as for the dry process they need not be soluble, nor are they required to precipitate at the same pH. It is
expected this method can be applied to make other SC cathode materials, including LiNixCoyAlzO2 (NCA), cobalt-free layered
cathodes, or layered cathode materials with special dopants, such as W, Mo, etc., possibly enabling materials not accessible by the coprecipitation method. We therefore hope to expand the use of these dry processing methods in future studies.
endquote
Thus, it seems to me Obravac et al are releasing details of their playing around with the DPMG process to learn more about what will work and not work, and other possible uses of the method. If Novonix can use this all within their DPMG patent, it further helps them move forward with how best to progress high quality materials better than most others in the market.
Again, if DPMG turns out as good as potential, it could be a game changer and place Novonix in an enviable position if they can use it effectively.
Expand
(20min delay)