Ohara Inc. sees batteries playing a bigger role in its future.
The Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture-based optical glassmaker, whose products are used in precision optical devices such as digital cameras and telescopes, is eying a share of the fast-growing battery market with a material that it says can be used in both next-generation batteries and to enhance conventional batteries.
The company's efforts rest on a material called LICGC, or lithium-ion conducting glass-ceramics, which it wants to use in solid-state lithium-ion batteries. Solid-state batteries, which dispense with the liquid electrolyte blamed for causing batteries to heat and catch fire, are currently under development by companies including Toyota Motor Corp. and Dyson Ltd.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.