Lithium-air, Helmholz Institute, Johnson Matthey, Clariant, Quadrofoil.

Lithium-air research: Within the project ABILE (Air Batteries with Ionic Liquid Electrolytes), researchers from the BMW Group and the Universities of Rome, Münster and Seoul have optimized an ionic liquid electrolyte for Li-air batteries. The energy efficiency could be increased to 82 percent in a coin cell, compared with 60 to 70 percent for most existing Li-air batteries.
greencarcongress.com

New battery research centre: The German state of Baden-Württemberg has invested 12 million euros in a research facility at the Helmholz Institute in Ulm. The new laboratories will enable the institute and its partners, the University of Ulm, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research and the German Aerospace Centre to work together even more closely.
stuttgarter-zeitung.de, idw-online.de, uni-ulm.de (all articles in German)

Johnson Matthey buys Clariant’s LFP business: The largest producer of hydrothermal Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) worldwide has agreed to sell its Energy Storage business. For 75 million dollars, Johnson Matthey will take over the manufacturing plant in Canada, as well as the R&D and pilot plan in Germany. JM had already bought A123 System’s cathode factory in China in September.
greencarcongress.com, finanzen.net

Unsinkable e-boat: The Quadrofoil resembles a jet ski and supposedly makes you “fly above water.” Starting next year, it will be available starting at 15,000 euros for a version with a 3.7 kW motor, 4.5 kWh battery and 50 km range. There is also a limited edition with 100 km range priced at 22,500 euros.
technologicvehicles.com (with video)