OAK RIDGE, TN – Dow Kokam and the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory said they are working together to enhance the Michigan-based company’s capabilities to develop and commercialize advanced lithium-ion batteries.

The relationship, formalized Aug. 24 with the signing of an agreement worth up to $5.5 million over six years, provides Dow Kokam specialized technical and research management expertise. Many of the specialized battery development capabilities that are part of this effort are exclusive to ORNL.

“Our partnership with ORNL reinforces Dow Kokam’s commitment to focus its R&D efforts directly on performance-improving advancements that have rapid commercial utility for our customers and their end users, primarily in the highly demanding transportation, utility and defense markets,” said Ravi Shanker, president and CEO of Dow Kokam. “By augmenting our direct R&D capabilities and investments with access to the most state-of-the-art resources and expertise in the industry, Dow Kokam aims to set the new standard for advanced battery performance.”

This agreement builds on a successful partnership stemming from a collaborative research and development agreement funded by the Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and Dow Kokam.

A team of a dozen ORNL researchers will provide support in the areas of electrochemical and microstructural analysis, in-line quality control process development, raw material characterization and processing battery components. Other aspects of the effort will focus on new technology evaluation and technical strategic advice designed to optimize Dow Kokam’s materials and manufacturing processes. This work builds on a cooperative research and development agreement that began in February 2010.