NSTDA, Chulalongkorn University and the Defence Science and Technology Department launched a collaboration on battery research. Under this partnership, a Center of Excellence for Battery Innovation will be established to focus on developing battery innovations that can be manufactured domestically for national security.
The MOU launching this collaboration was signed on 7 February 2020 with leaders of the three parties and honorable guests as witnesses, including Assoc. Prof. Soranit Siltharm, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation; General Napon Sangsomwong, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence; Lt. Gen. Kongcheep Tantravanich, Director-General, Defence Science and Technology Department; Prof. Bundhit Eua-arporn, President, Chulalongkorn University; and Dr. Narong Sirilertworakul, NSTDA President.
This center, which will be based at the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, will draw on expertise and resources from the three parties to develop energy storage systems that can utilize raw materials found in Thailand for both for defense and commercial applications. Current battery technology mainly uses lithium as the raw material. Production of lithium is limited in Thailand and has to be imported. Therefore, one of the tasks of this center is to develop energy storage system that can utilize materials found or developed in Thailand. NSTDA pledges an annual budget of 15 million THB to support this center and its National Security and Dual-Use Technology Center will represent NSTDA in this partnership.