#	Pagina
attuale pagina	/open-h2020/projects/212374/results.html

Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - IMAGE (Innovative Manufacturing Routes for Next Generation Batteries in Europe)

Teaser

Summary

IMAGE, Innovative Manufacturing Routes for Next Generation Batteries in Europe, is a H2020 project funded by the European Union to develop new lithium cells for stationary and automotive applications (IMAGE project number: 769929). The project started on November 1st 2017 and the first working period has just finished, M18, April 30th 2019. The industry in Europe is not able to compete with the big Asian companies manufacturing state of the art lithium-ion cells with graphite based anodes, a liquid electrolyte and an NMC cathode. However, there is a high demand for affordable lithium batteries with a higher energy density by the automotive industry for the ongoing electrification of cars. The idea is to use upcoming new technologies and combine a lithium metal anode, a gel-polymer electrolyte and an aqueous processed high high-Nickel NMC cathode, and by using these materials circumnavigate the dominance of the big competitors. By studying the new handling steps, that come along with the new materials, processing know how and production technologies are elaborated, that ought to broaden the European production capabilities.

Work performed

The work within IMAGE follows the plan detailly outlined in the DoA . One of the first steps was collecting and analysing the requirements for stationary and automotive applications. The requirements were derived from the OEMÂ´s actual products and are state of the art. Based on these datarequirements, specifications for the cells intended to be built in IMAGE were elaborated. Testing procedures for the characterisation of the cells were collected, an alignment is ongoing. A test plan is available in draft, a final version is scheduled for autumn this year.
The material manufacturers also started immediately and delivered several samples of the new materials, material optimisations are further ongoing. The materials have been tested and characterised in depth, a task also ongoing at the moment of summarising this report. The integration of the materials with each other is elaborated at the moment, and will further go on in the second working period of IMAGE. Upscaling activities have also started.
Related with this topic, work on a modeling tool aiming on the optimisation of production parameters vs. resulting properties of cells has started. This ought to give hints for potential further optimisations in the future.
The new technology cell technologys are is tricky concerning the integration of cells into modules and packs, especially concerning, temperature window of operation and, pressure window of operation, â€¦. Data is being are collected for the conceptualisation of a housing system. The idea is to be able to integrate IMAGE cells as well as cells of another solid or all- solid statesolid-state technology.
Production technologies of various industries, (e.g. ceramic, plastic, â€¦) are investigated at the moment to find potential new ways for the production of lithium metal cells. The idea aims on existing systems, as well as on all types of all- solid statesolid-state type cells. A first brainstorming workshop has just been held.
The solid and all- solid- state systems known at the moment are evaluated, aiming on the best systems and reliable synthesis possibilities. Different interesting materials are synthesised and in depth characterised for their electrochemical properties.
Dissemination activities are running, a project website has been set up to provide information to interested persons. A market analysis is in preparation, to provide data for the later scheduled elaboration of a business plan. First The first scientific journal first papers have been accepted for published publication and are in press.

Final results

The system used in IMAGE comprising of lithium metal anode, a gel polymer electrolyte and an aqueous processed high-Nickel content NMC cathode can be classified to be TRL 5-6. This level is very interesting in terms of being beyond the state of the art and being accessible in a foreseeable period of time.
The main advantages of the system are a cost reduction and a higher energy density compared to todayÂ´s lithium-ion cells due to the new materials and a simplified cell assembly. Also important is the development of production know how and processing techniques with the new materials that ought to help gain back competitiveness for the European industry.