Dreamweaver International and its manufacturing partner Glatfelter have brought their first separator for lithium ion batteries into full production. At 20 microns thin, the separator will provide outstanding safety and cycle life in applications including energy storage for solar cells, electric vehicles, power tools, industrial cells and even some portable electronics application which require advanced safety.

Dreamweaver is among several companies who are launching inherently stable separators which can withstand temperatures up to 300°C and even higher. Compared to the low melting polyolefin and ceramic coated separators, these third generation separators provide the superior safety needed for large scale energy storage and for electric vehicles with extended range, such as the Tesla S and Tesla III. They will also help make a battery system that is more forgiving to manufacturing defects that can cause fires, like those that have recently occurred with the Samsung Galaxy 7 Note, causing a recall.

This product launch continues Dreamweaver’s quest to make the thinnest nonwoven separators in the world. The material has been manufactured at a rate of 100 million square meters per year on Glatfelter’s production line in Germany. Samples have so far been delivered to 50 battery manufacturers for evaluation, and the initial results are quite positive.

Dreamweaver’s Silver 20 is the thinnest of the third generation separators, offering enhanced safety at a cost point that is acceptable in the market. 

“We expect it will take the market 5-10 years to adopt these third generation separators,” says Dr. Brian Morin, president and COO of Dreamweaver. “But as a first mover with a unique technology, Dreamweaver hopes to accelerate that adoption and help our customers bring safer, less expensive batteries to market, allowing expanded use of safe, reliable portable energy in more and more applications.”