I can become stronger by paying salaries. I have one billion employees!

Chapter 435 Flaws Don't Detract from the Overall Success! A Groundbreaking Technology! Accelerating Commercialization!

Xucheng, Zhuxianzhuang Science and Technology Park.

Chen Yansen picked up the phone, glanced at the caller ID, and pressed the answer button directly.

"Mr. Chen, I've heard a rumor that Senlian Capital wants to transfer its stake in Desay Battery," Jiang Jie said with a hearty laugh, cautiously probing.

“It’s not a rumor.” Chen Yansen’s lips curled up slightly, and he added, “I do have the idea of ​​selling my stake in Desay Battery.”

The smile on Jiang Jie's face vanished instantly, and he felt as if a huge rock was pressing on his heart, leaving him completely dazed.

It's worth noting that Desay caught the wave of the smartphone boom in the past two years, holding Orange in one hand and Apple in the other, with its revenue and stock price soaring.

If Chen Yansen wants to cash out now, can Desay Battery still maintain Orange Technology's supply orders?

Jiang Jie frowned, a tightness in his chest, and couldn't help but ask, "Then what about the cooperation between Desay and Orange Technology?"

"Don't worry, Mr. Jiang, Orange Technology has no plans to change suppliers at least this year."

Chen Yansen said in a calm tone.

This year?

What about next year?

Jiang Jie immediately understood the subtext: Orange Technology was likely going to terminate its cooperation with Desay.

He pondered for a moment, gritted his teeth, and said, "Mr. Chen, if it's a matter of supply price, I can offer a discount of five percent."

“It has nothing to do with price,” Chen Yansen replied simply.

"Okay, Mr. Chen, I understand." Jiang Jie looked disappointed, didn't ask any further questions, forced a few more pleasantries, and then hung up the phone.

Chen Yansen casually pushed his phone onto the table and immediately put the Desay Battery issue out of his mind.

Although the Deep Blue Battery has overcome challenges such as shuttle effect, lithium dendrite formation, and short cycle life, the production process is more difficult and the cost is higher due to the need to use high-purity carbon nanotubes, graphene, metal-organic frameworks, and other materials.

To achieve large-scale commercialization, it is necessary to further optimize the composition ratio of solid electrolytes or develop more effective solutions to prevent capacity decay.

In addition, excessively high energy density may lead to a decrease in battery thermal stability, which can easily cause safety problems such as overheating and fire.

However, the first version of the design was only intended to test the waters and gauge the reaction from domestic and international markets.

A more refined technical version will naturally be released when the time is right.

Three days later, the Patent Association in Yanjing received Ding Houmeng's request, specification, claims and other relevant materials.

High-density lithium-sulfur batteries?
Deep Blue Battery?

The energy density is 600 watt-hours per kilogram!

The staff member in charge of the initial review was slightly taken aback, but quickly regained their composure.

It's not that the figure of 600 watt-hours per kilogram isn't impressive enough; it's just that he's seen too many flashy but impractical patents.

Regarding lithium-sulfur batteries, the Bincheng Institute of Physics and Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences had already achieved research results last year, with an energy density of 420 watt-hours per kilogram. However, this data was measured under constant temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and low discharge rate.

Once switched to low-temperature conditions, battery performance will degrade significantly; and when discharged at high rates, the battery's internal resistance will increase sharply, and the actual output energy will be far lower than the theoretical value.

In addition, the safety hazards of lithium metal anodes, the rapid capacity decay caused by the shuttle effect, and the poor conductivity of sulfur itself are the biggest obstacles to the commercialization and mass production of lithium-sulfur batteries.

Therefore, after confirming that the patent directions of Senlian Capital and Bincheng Institute of Physics seemed similar but were actually quite different, the examiner moved the process to the next step.

It wasn't until the substantive examination stage that the Patent Association noticed the anomalies of Deep Blue Battery: its MOF membrane preparation process, self-healing electrolyte microcapsules, and three-dimensional electrode laser etching method successfully solved problems such as shuttle effect, lithium dendrite formation, and short cycle life of lithium-sulfur batteries.

Although the cost of high-purity carbon nanotubes, graphene, and metal-organic frameworks is relatively high, the cost of sulfides is lower. When all factors are considered, the overall cost is basically the same as that of ordinary lithium batteries.

Even though the energy utilization rate may only be 60% to 70% due to differences in scenarios, operating conditions and battery status.

Even 60% of them have an energy density of 400 watt-hours per kilogram, far exceeding the 150 to 200 watt-hour levels found in the market.

In other words, the battery capacity has more than doubled within the same volume.

This means that for mobile phones, battery life can be extended from one day to more than two days;

Switching to a computer can increase battery life from 8 hours to 20 hours;

If it's the B1 smart bracelet, the battery life can even reach two weeks;

This will also bring about tremendous changes in fields such as electric vehicles, drones, and energy storage.

"Report this immediately! This is already classified as sensitive civilian technology!"

The head of the patent association made a decision immediately.

At the same time, several chief scientists from the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences were summoned together to jointly review the practicality of the Deep Blue Battery.

"Lithium-sulfur batteries? Has Chen Jian from the Bincheng Institute of Physics and Chemistry made new progress?"

"It's Senlian Capital, not Bincheng Institute of Physics!"

"Three-dimensional stacked electrode technology? Mainly based on nanoporous aluminum current collectors and vertical carbon nanotube arrays, used to reduce battery volume?"

"And microcapsules made of thermally responsive polymers?"

A group of leading figures in the scientific community each had a copy of the document, and as they flipped through it, they kept expressing their doubts and surprise.

"The rationality, logic, and potential feasibility are all fine, but the authenticity and repeatability of the data have not been verified. No one can say for sure whether this patent is reliable. I suggest going to Shenzhen to reproduce the experimental results again."

Sun Huamin from the Yenching Institute of Physics and Chemistry adjusted his glasses and said earnestly.

"I agree with Engineer Sun's suggestion!"

"Agree!"

"You'd better leave right away!"

The remaining people echoed this sentiment.

A person's name, the shadow of a tree.

Since Senlian Capital developed the Orange Z1 instruction set and the Aurora Future operating system, it has been registered with the Huazhong University of Science and Technology Association.

If it were any other company, these industry bigwigs would never personally make a trip to Shenzhen.

However, since the entity listed on the application documents is Senlian Capital, they cannot afford to be careless.

What if this technology actually works?

That evening, Cao Dahua received a call from Yuan Ruili, who asked him to prepare the materials and equipment needed for the experiment.

Two hours later, several chief scientists from the Yanjing Institute of Physics and Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences will be visiting.

Deep Blue Battery?

Cao Dahua immediately understood and readily agreed.

He then shared the message with Chen Yansen.

"We can cooperate, but we must safeguard the MOF membrane and electrolyte formula," Chen Yansen instructed.

“Boss, I understand,” Cao Dahua replied excitedly.

He never expected that the 700 to 800 million yuan he invested in research and development last year would actually yield results.

Chen Yansen put down his phone, lay down on Ye Qiuping's sofa, and waited contentedly for dinner. Meanwhile...

After arriving in Shenzhen, Sun Huamin and his team went straight to Orange Technology's laboratory.

With clear division of labor, the team, along with their assistants, conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Deep Blue Battery, including tests on capacity, voltage, internal resistance, power, and high and low temperature performance.

The result was astonishing!

Although the actual utilization rate of Deep Blue batteries is only 61% to 63% under normal temperature and high-rate discharge conditions, and the degradation rate is also quite obvious, it cannot withstand the energy density of 600 watt-hours per kilogram.

Three times the energy storage capacity may not be achievable, but doubling it is certainly within reach.

When applied to civilian or military applications, the device's battery life can be doubled.

"What are the degradation rates of the Deep Blue Battery over 5 years and 10 years?" Sun Huamin asked curiously.

Generally speaking, battery degradation rate is not tested using actual waiting time; accelerated aging tests are usually used instead.

By simulating extreme conditions, such as high temperature, high-rate charging and discharging, and specific states of charge, and combining this with mathematical models to calculate long-term degradation trends, the degradation rate over 5 years or even longer can be quickly assessed.

Sun Huamin knew perfectly well that Orange Technology's R&D personnel had definitely conducted tests.

“5年容量衰减率在20%左右，即1200次的循环寿命，使用10年容量衰减能控制在30%以内。”

"That's what the lead engineer replied."

He is the head of the laboratory, a senior R&D engineer recruited by Chen Yansen from Sion Power, and a technical expert in the field of lithium-sulfur batteries, Zeng Jiwen.

"The attenuation rate is a bit high," Sun Huamin sighed.

“Lithium polysulfides are prone to side reactions on the surface of the negative electrode, which consumes a large amount of active material and causes the battery capacity to decay rapidly. Sion Power’s lithium-sulfur batteries will drop to 50% after 100 cycles in actual applications, while Deep Blue is a generation ahead of North America in terms of anti-degradation.”

Zeng Jiwen retorted without any politeness.

"Are you a researcher at Sion Power?" Sun Huamin asked.

“Former Sion Power researcher, now I’m the project leader for Deep Blue Battery,” Zeng Jiwen nodded in response.

Sion Power is a battery supplier in the United States that has made significant achievements in the research of lithium-sulfur batteries. Under experimental conditions, it has increased the highest energy density to 390 watt-hours per kilogram.

As someone in the industry, Sun Huamin had certainly heard of it.

"The advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Compared with ordinary lithium batteries, the advantages of Deep Blue batteries are enough to make up for all the shortcomings."

Sun Huamin commented.

After speaking, he looked around the laboratory and saw that strict system controls had been implemented for everything from temperature and humidity to cleanliness, safety, and electromagnetic compatibility.

Success is not a matter of luck!

Senlian Capital has indeed invested a lot of human, material, and financial resources in lithium-sulfur batteries.

In particular, Zeng Jiwen was previously one of the core members of Sion Power.

He simply couldn't understand how Chen Yansen managed to recruit such a talented person.

After all, Sion Power has been receiving funding from the Energy Institute of the United States since 2009.

To put it simply, this is a lithium-sulfur battery R&D company with official backing.

After Sun Huamin and others left, after being reported through multiple levels, in less than half an hour, people from the local inspection station and the Anguo Association came to the door and, without saying a word, made Zeng Jiwen and others sign a confidentiality agreement.

All 17 chief engineers were included in the classified information system.

While DeepBlue Battery's technology has not reached the level of defense patents, it is already on the fringes.

The above determination result is that the patent is a sensitive technology.

Even if other battery manufacturers obtain patent licenses, they are not qualified to access MOF membrane materials and electrolyte formulations.

The supply of materials is confidential and subject to the supervision of the Anguo Association.

Yuan Ruili convened a central meeting overnight to find suitable industrial land in Shenzhen for Senlian Capital to build a production base.

However, Chen Yansen prefers to acquire existing battery production plants first, and then simply upgrade the coating and encapsulation processes to enter the production stage.

The selection of a site and construction of a new factory can also be carried out simultaneously.

After a moment's thought, Yuan Ruili agreed to Chen Yansen's proposal.

The long-defunct UPU battery factory was the first to come into the view of both parties.

This factory was the one that Orange Mobile deliberately supplied with a batch of batteries that did not meet production requirements when it was starting out, and was later shut down by Chen Yansen.

Subsequently, UPU Battery suffered three explosions in Africa and quickly went bankrupt.

This factory, covering an area of ​​21 square meters, was once the largest supplier of batteries for counterfeit mobile phones in Huaqiangbei. Companies such as DaBolu, Transsion, OPPO, and Meizu were its clients. Now, however, it is overgrown with weeds and deserted.

After conducting an investigation, Cao Dahua told Chen Yansen the truth.

“It’s not like it’s unusable. Let’s hurry up and clean and level it. We need to get the production line set up and the recruitment work underway,” Chen Yansen replied.

At the same time, Yuan Ruili selected an 80-square-meter plot of land for him in Pingshan.

The land can be used for free!

But there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Shenzhen City naturally had its own agenda, proposing to exchange land and 30 billion yuan in funds for a 15% stake in DeepBlue Battery.

Chen Yansen didn't refuse; it's not shameful to curry favor with someone powerful.

Having someone above you to protect you makes things much easier!
Of the 30 billion yuan, Shenzhen State-owned Assets provided 25 billion yuan and the Social Security Fund provided 5 million yuan.

If anyone dares to touch DeepBlue Battery in the future, they should first ask the Shenzhen Municipal Government and the Social Security Fund if they are allowed to!
the other side.

BYD, Sunwoda, Desay, and BTR also received the news, but initially dismissed it.

But when they learned that Yuan Ruili had given Senlian Capital an 80-square-meter industrial land for free, they fell into deep thought.

Could Deep Blue Battery truly have solved the limitations of lithium-sulfur batteries?
That's impossible!

Sion Power, PolyPlus, and Oak Ridge Laboratory in the United States have already developed lithium-sulfur batteries with a power output of over 400 watt-hours per kilogram.

However, the cycle life is mostly between 100 and 200 cycles, and that is under ideal laboratory conditions, which is far below commercial standards.

In addition, when lithium metal is used as the negative electrode, lithium dendrites will form during charging and discharging, which can puncture the separator, causing an internal short circuit in the battery and triggering thermal runaway.

Who doesn't know that lithium-sulfur batteries have high energy density?

However, it has a short lifespan, degrades quickly, and is prone to leaks and fires!
unless!

Deep Blue Battery has solved all these shortcomings!
Wang Chuanfu asked someone to inquire, but after a short while, the middleman said, "The patent is confidential, and we cannot obtain more detailed data."

He immediately understood that the design of the Deep Blue Battery was far beyond his imagination.

Otherwise, Shenzhen City and Senlian Capital would not be in such a hurry to push DeepBlue Battery into the commercialization stage.

The immediate question is: what will be the actual utilization rate of the Deep Blue battery, and will it impact BYD?

(End of this chapter)