A new lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) cathode material developed by Integrals Power has been shown to significantly boost the real-world range of electric vehicles (EVs) by improving the usable capacity of batteries during high-discharge conditions.
Traditional lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries often lose usable capacity when used under high-demand conditions, such as long highway drives or in high-power applications like electric mining vehicles. However, tests conducted by the internationally recognized research company QinetiQ have proven that LMFP cells maintain a much higher percentage of their capacity compared to LFP cells under these tough conditions.
The LMFP cells retained 99% of their original capacity at 2C (with a 30-minute discharge time), and 95% at 5C (12-minute discharge time). Even at an extreme 10C (6-minute discharge time), the LMFP cells retained 60% of their capacity, which is well beyond any practical usage scenario. This impressive performance highlights the material’s ability to deliver high power while maintaining durability—key for demanding applications like EVs.
QinetiQ’s tests support earlier third-party research that showed Integrals Power achieved a significant milestone by incorporating 80% manganese into its LMFP material, while still overcoming the typical energy density reduction seen with such high manganese content. This achievement enables nearly 150 mAh/gr specific capacity, a level previously considered difficult to achieve in high-manganese formulations.
As a result, Integrals Power’s LMFP material allows for battery cells that offer a balanced combination of high performance, long-range, and longevity—outperforming lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries while being more cost-effective and less reliant on critical minerals compared to nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) batteries. With this technology, car manufacturers can increase the range of their EVs, or use fewer battery cells to achieve the same range, resulting in lighter and less expensive batteries.
Behnam Hormozi, founder and CEO of Integrals Power, expressed pride in the test results, saying, “We are extremely proud of the test results QinetiQ achieved using our LMFP cathode active materials because they show that we have delivered higher C-rate performance and better capacity retention without compromise.”
Hormozi further explained, “Combined with a proven energy density improvement of up to 20% compared to LFP, thanks to our 80% manganese content and a higher voltage profile of 4.1V, we are showing our customers that we can help reduce costs and weight, while offering more compact, sustainable, and longer-lasting battery pack designs.”
QinetiQ’s testing involved pouch cells made with Integrals Power’s LMFP material, standard commercial-grade graphite anodes, and liquid electrolyte. Each cell was tested with an electrode loading of 2 mAh/cm2.
The LMFP used in the tests is part of a broader range of 25 cathode materials developed and patented by Integrals Power. All of these materials are produced at the company’s UK facility, which includes a pilot plant capable of manufacturing 20 tonnes of high-purity material annually. Samples of these materials have already been sent to a wide range of customers in the battery manufacturing industry, including those in the energy storage and EV sectors, for further evaluation and benchmarking.
