Interview Dr. Prem Chandan, GUS Technology
At the end of April, during 2035 E-Mobility Taiwan, AEM met with Dr. Prem Chandran from GUS Technology, Taiwan's first gigafactory, to learn why they focus on LTO cells and pouch types as their main products, and to hear about their future expansion strategies in terms of battery chemistry and production. GUS, a battery startup founded by materials scientists, is already collaborating with numerous clients in Japan and Europe. One of GUS's strengths is its supply chain, which excludes China and includes South Korea.
written by Sangmin Han
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Can you please share what achievements E-Mobility Taiwan has brought to GUS Technology this year?
Chandan The exposure to many customers especially to the international visitors has been good. There were a few delegation teams from different countries, such as Malaysia, Czech Republic, Germany etc. E-mobility gave us an opportunity to interact with them and portray our technology to them. Some of them are interested in our technology and have come forward for business collaborations in different forms.
GUS Technology was established in 2017. What significance does this hold for GUS in the global, Taiwan, EV industry and GUS?
Chandan GUS Technology has been in cell manufacturing since 2017. In 2023, we started our first GWh factory in Taiwan. In the near future, we are planning to expand our manufacturing capabilities locally in Taiwan and in different parts of the world to cater to different customers from EV and energy storage industries. The world is in the transition period. Everything that moves is being electrified, moving towards renewable and sustainable energy. And we are right on time.
Like GUS, many battery companies handle everything from material development to Cell to Pack, BMS and software. What is the reason for this? What sets GUS apart from other companies?
Chandan A battery cell cannot be used in an application directly. It becomes useful only after integrating it with a BMS and other necessary components. So, many companies, not only manufacture cells, but also develop other components in-house for having a better reach to their customers.
Even GUS is recognized for providing a “one-stop solution” from the cell development to module-to-pack to system integration. Inculcating Japanese technology with China-free supply chain has been our strength that has attracted many customers around the world.
GUS has unique technology and product. What unique battery chemistry will be utilized in manufacturing, and why? LTO electrodes have the disadvantage of low energy density due to their high voltage. What technologies can overcome this? Does this correspond to specific vehicle applications?
Chandan It is the cell manufacturing capability that GUS boasts of, irrespective of the chemistries used. At GUS however, the major focus is given to LTO cells. Though it suffers from low energy density, it addresses the safety issue that other Lithium batteries are facing. For GUS, safety is of utmost importance. We consider safety to be the fundamental property and not as an added feature. Apart from safety, the LTO cells stand out for fast-charging ability (5 minutes), wide temperature range applications (-40 to 60 C) and super long cycle life (40,000 cycles). Except for the electric cars, or drones and other applications where energy density is the driving factor, LTO cells can be applied in everything else. Starting from the AGVs, trucks, buses, trains, submarines and ships to military and remote applications LTO cells are the most suited.
At GUS the R&D has been incessantly working on improving the energy density of LTO cells. By the end of this year, we will be having the next generation LTO cells whose energy density is in par with LFP cells.
What cathode materials are you currently applying?
Chandan Depending on the application and requirement, we are working with LMO, LNMO and different NCM cathodes for our LTO cells.
What do you think about the future of other battery chemistries? Many companies are researching solid-state batteries due to concerns about battery explosions. Does GUS have a similar research roadmap? Are there any different strategies?
Chandan The LTO cells from GUS are already safe without explosion or fire issues. Having said that, we are also working on solid state electrolytes for improving the safety of our NCM cells and also enhancing our LTO safety further. Since we are focused on the pouch type cell format, it will be easier for us to adapt to the solid state battery manufacturing technology as well.
GUS has signed an MOU with Echion, a niobium-based anode company. How do they plan to utilize this?
Chandan We are co-working with Echion to develop a new battery design with higher efficiency. Tests are in progress, and we cannot say anything much about it.
A Taiwanese solid-state battery company called PLG seems to be soon releasing commercial products. How do you view this?
Chandan They are making good batteries. We do not see them as a competitor, rather a partner company who is working for the same cause as we are. The requirement of battery solutions to the world is huge and very little has been fulfilled. As battery companies, we have a lot of works to do and a long way to go.
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