Dear Reader,
the #LCBAT12019 Cluster is happy to welcome you to the second release of our joint newsletter.
ASTRABAT, SAFELiMOVE, SOLiDIFY and SUBLIME are four EU-funded projects aiming to create solutions to produce strongly improved, highly performant and safe all solid-state batteries for electric vehicles. These projects are part of a broader drive by the European Union to make electric mobility become the next transport mode and contribute to the EU overall goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80-95% by 2050 (currently, the transport sector is responsible for around one quarter of Europe's GHG emissions). It is expected that e-mobility will represent 70% of the total rechargeable Li-ion battery cell market's value in 2022 and that 70% of the EU electricity should be produced by renewable energies. Hence, the electric battery storage is vital in this transition to clean mobility and clean energy systems.
Having started in the beginning of 2020, the four projects are now entering their final phase. To reach a higher impact, the cluster is going to participate jointly in industry events, such as TRA Lisbon with a session on Batteries for automotive applications and it is already organising a joint final conference to be held in mid-2023.
Read about the project's latest developments and do not forget to follow our hashtag #LCBAT12019 to stay up to date with the latest news from the Cluster!
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ASTRABAT is developing a new Li-ion cell architecture with an all-solid-state electrolyte design suitable for the use of new high-energy electrode materials and mass production. In 2022, the project has been working on several fronts, including the formulation of electrode and electrolyte materials. Project partners DAIKIN, FhG-IKTS, LEITAT and CEA have manufactured hybrid ceramic and polymer membranes. Before this, they had to check if these materials were compatible with one another so that they can be integrated into ASTRABAT's cells. We've developed a formulation for the printing process for the electrodes and the electrolyte based on hybrid ceramic and polymer (University of Limoges, FhG-IKTS). And CEA has completed the modelling of the optimised cell architecture, the results of which will be used for cell production.
As part of our project, we aim to upscale the fabrication process of the batteries. Partner Yunasko has adjusted the impregnation of the polymer electrolytes into the electrodes. In parallel, Leclanché has explored three aspects of the upscaled production line design: the process itself, the cell assembly and the quality control. We've further improved the printing process for the cathode ink that we've already developed. Additionally to the planar layers printing, pillars have been obtained with the same technique and characterized (see picture). We will also be testing other shapes (walls, honeycombs) in line with the modelling results and will assess the electrochemical performances of these batteries in the coming months.
Read our latest article and discover more about re-use and recycling opportunities of Lithium-ion batteries. Finally, watch our interview to Seydou Hebie from Stellantis to discover about challenges and outlook for a fully electric vehicle market in Europe.
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The SOLiDIFY project comprises a unique manufacturing process with a solid electrolyte material formed from liquid precursor solution to fabricate lithium-metal solid-state batteries. The concept is based on a solid nanocomposite electrolyte (nano-SCE) used advantageously for a liquid-to-solid single-step approach in the fabrication of the composite cathode (+ battery terminal) and solid-electrolyte separator (preventing shorting). The main goals entail the development and upscaling of this liquid-to-solid concept towards manufacturable materials and processes, and the discovery of full cell assembly schemes. The project aims to culminate in the demonstration of 1 Ah pouch cell prototypes, with a target energy density of 1200 Wh/L (400 Wh/kg) in 20 minutes of charging time (3C charging). To put this in perspective, the current best performing lithium-ion batteries have an average energy density of 700 Wh/L.
The general SOLIDIFY strategies to reach such ambitions are the integration of high-energy NMC active materials and development of new electrode architectures for high mass loading enabled by the liquid-to-solid approach. Nearly three years in, there is a hive of activity surrounding the development of the projects' first pouch cell(s). This was realised through the careful evaluation and optimisation of chosen cell components delivered by the different partners in the project: thin film-coated cathode materials, protected lithium anodes, poly(ionic liquid) (PIL)-based solid-state composite electrolytes and PIL-based separators. The SOLiDIFY team came together to overcome challenges in electrolyte ionic conductivity, mechanical strength, and cathode impregnation, resulting in the first pouch cell assembly. Cell component optimisation and, specifically, electrolyte additives are foreseen to further improve performance, allowing the SOLiDIFY consortium to continually strive for high energy density. Upscaling and manufacturability will be the focus of the final year, ensuring the full exploitation of SOLiDIFY outcomes. Visit solidify-h2020.eu for more information & highlights!
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Development of the sulfide electrolyte has entered the final stage. Ionic conductivities of more than 1 mS/cm could be obtained. The manufacturing process has been upscaled and more than 500 g of the sulfide electrolyte can be produced in a single batch.
SUBLIME recently presented results on the processability of the developed sulfide electrolyte at the Power Our Future 2022 and Ceramics in Europe 2022 conferences with a total of three oral and one poster presentation. Furthermore, results on modelling of lithium-ion batteries with sulfide-based electrolytes were presented at Giornate dell'Elettrochimica Italiana.
Moreover, the project was presented at the International Vienna Motor Symposium 2022, at HyVolution 2022, Car Symposium Bochum 2022, and at the Battery Experts Forum 2022.
Upcoming contributions will be made at the IBPC2022 in Braunschweig, discussing the result on composite cathode optimization. SUBLIME, as part of the LC-BAT-1 research and innovation cluster, will also be represented at the TRA 2022 during an Invited Session on batteries that will be organized and held together with the LC-BAT-5 and LC-BAT-10 (Collabat) research and innovation clusters.
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These projects have received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement no. 875189. 875028. 875029 & 770142. The information and views set out in this publication does not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Commission. Neither the European Union institutions and bodies nor any person acting on their behalf, may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.
