Press Release
Gipuzkoa, 20. October 2021
With the participation of CIDETEC Energy Storage, the prototypes obtained will make Europe a benchmark in the manufacture of this type of batteries.
The European project IMAGE (Innovative Manufacturing Routes for Next Generation Batteries in Europe, GA 769929) aims to develop the technology to manufacture solid-state batteries in Europe to replace the current liquid-electrolyte-based lithium-ion batteries.
The initiative focuses on lithium as an anode, combining it with solid concepts and studying its assembly and manufacturing possibilities to achieve a competitive battery industry at European level. The prototypes obtained are expected to pave the way to lower costs and achieve an increase in specific energy of more than 300 Wh/kg.
CIDETEC Energy Storage has developed a formulation and manufactured the NMC622 cathode electrode from aqueous inks, UMICORE active material and ARKEMA binder. The centre has also carried out the addition of electrolyte additives in collaboration with Hydro Quebec and the adjustment of the gelation process in situ, as well as the scale up to the manufacture of pouch cells, obtaining prototypes with lithium from Hydro Quebec and polymer electrolyte from ARKEMA. These developments were subsequently tested by partners AVL, BMW and VARTA Storage.
The project, set within the Horizon 2020 initiative and launched in November 2017, ends after four years and a budget of almost € 5 million. Coordinated by AVL, in addition to CIDETEC Energy Storage, the following have also participated: VUB, BMW Group, VARTA Microbattery, UMICORE, ARKEMA France, Hydro-Quebec, CIC energiGUNE, RWTH Aachen, TU Graz, VARTA Storage and MANZ Italy.
Link: Press Release
Ellwangen, 06. April 2018
With the EU-project "IMAGE" a major leap towards an all-solid-state lithium battery technology is about to be done. The project focuses on new materials with the major goal to build scalable industrial cells with a higher energy density, longer lifetime as well as improved safety and thus to achieve an advanced cell technology. In this course, relevant processing know-how will be applied and developed in order to gain advanced manufacturing knwoledge for a future high-level battery technology.
The research network of academia and indurial partners participating in this project will support a competitive European battery industry. The newly emerging technologies from the project are meant to be adopted, and quickly included into battery cells in order to be able to compete on international level.
IMAGE addresses the following subjects of technologies to be included in battery cells applied for both electromobility and stationary applications:
■ Utilization of thin lithium metal foils as anode material
■ Investigation of non-liquid electrolytes
■ Validation of organic-solvent free manufacturing process for the cathode
■ Investigation of possibilities to integrate the electrolyte into the cathode
■ Utilization of novel, and more environmentally friendly electrolyte components
■ Characterization of the new interfaces related to the lithium Metall anode
The cells will be characterized in-depth in order to understand the performance and ageing behaviour related to the new materials and technologies. Based on this, an assessment for the application of those cells with the new technologies included within modules and fully battery packs will be subsequently elaborated.
Background
IMAGE started in November 2017 and has a term of 42 month. 13 partners from Europe and Canada are involved: AVL List GmbH (Austria) Coordinator, Vrije Universiteit (Belgium), BMW Group (Germany), VARTA Microbattery GmbH (Germany), Umicore (Belgium), Arkema (France), Hydro-Québec (Canada), CIC Energigune (Spain), CIDETEC Energy Storage (Spain), RTWH-Aachen (Germany), TU Graz (Austria), VARTA Storage GmbH (Germany) and Manz (Italy).
The project is funded by the European Union within the research an innovation program Horizon 2020 with 4.6 Mio. € referring to the grant agreement No. 769929.
Disclaimer
This publication reflects the author's views only. The European Union is not liable for any use that may be made of the Information therein.
Press Contact
Dr. Martin Krebs