TU Delft is heading a new project sponsored by the European Commission (EC) in which research institutes, universities and the battery and automotive industry from 8 European countries are collaborating to develop a new Li-ion cell for automotive traction purposes with the following characteristics: high energy density of at least 200 Wh/kg; low cost, i.e., a maximum of €150/kWh; and improved safety.
The researchers are proposing a shift from carbon to much higher capacity silicon-based anodes; from cobalt-based to iron and/or manganese/nickel-based cathodes; and to use novel electrolyte salts.
The newly launched EuroLiion project, which is part of the European Framework 7 programme, will run for four years and has a budget of €5.5 million (US$7.5 million), €4 million of which are a contribution from the EC.
The team plans to start the R&D at the silicon anode side, with a LiFePO4-C material at the cathode side. This requires a new electrode formulation with respect to binder, electrolyte salt, solvent, and composition.
The change in formulation at the anode and electrolyte allows for a change in the cathode materials and a series of both novel (e.g. , fluorosulfates, LiFeSO4F) and more established systems, will be investigated. The project will propose new synthetic routes, along with an extensive characterization program. Scale-up, testing and benchmarking of optimum formulations will be performed.
The outcome will be a newly developed cell, manufactured and tested by end-users, consisting of i) a newly formulated Si-negative electrode, ii) newly designed low cost salts, and iii) modified positive electrodes. The research consortium includes universities and knowledge institutes; a SME battery producer and the car industry as end-users. Thus, the composition of the consortium covers the whole spectrum of R&D, manufacturing and testing.
Consortium partners include:
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Universities/institutes: Technische Universiteit Delft (NL); Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR);
Uppsala Universiteit (SE); Kemijski Inštitut (SI); University of Cambridge (UK); Politechnika Warszawska (PL) -
Research institutions: Commissariat ` l’Energie Atomique (FR); Zentrum für Sonnenenergie und Wasserstoff Forschung, Baden-Würtemburg (DE); Österreichisches Forschungs und Prüfzentrum Arsenal Ges.m.b.H. (AT)
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Industry: Battery producer: GAIA Akkumulatorenwerke GmbH (DE). Automotive industry: Volvo Technology Corporation (SE); Renault S.A.S. represented by Gie Regienov (FR); Spijkstaal Elektro B.V. (NL)