Thirteen partners in a European research consortium have launched the SOMABAT (SOlid MAterials for high power Li polymer BATteries) project to develop more environmental friendly, safer and better performing high power density Li polymer batteries. SOMABAT will develop novel recyclable solid materials to be used as anode, cathode and solid polymer electrolyte; new alternatives to recycle the different components of the battery; and cycle life analysis.
SOMABAT will exploit the use of alternative synthesis and processing methods to develop tailored nanostructured solid materials for their use as lithium polymer battery components. SOMABAT is targeting a battery with an energy density up to 220 Wh/kg and a final cost less than 150 €/kWh (US$208/kWh).
Total project cost is €5.04 million (US$7 million); the European Commission, via FP7 is contributing €3.7 million (US$5.1 million). The project team is led by Instituto Tecnológico de la Energía in Valencia, Spain.
CIN2 (CSIC-ICN) and Umicore will research novel nanostructured cathode materials based on lithium iron and manganese phosphate will be researched by CIN2 (CSIC-ICN) and UMICORE. The advantage of this new material is that it offers maximum energy storage in minimum space, safety and it is environmentally friendly.
Université de Liège, Kiev National University of Technologies Design, and ITE will develop anode materials based on synthetic carbon, and other obtained from agricultural wastes. With these materials the energy density will be improved in about 30% respect to carbon based conventional anodes.
Both electrodes will be much less costly and a lot more reliable than traditional alternatives. Therefore, it will meet the essential requirements for the mass industrial development of electric vehicles.
ITE and Institute of Chemistry Timisoara of Romanian Academy will develop new porous polymeric materials and series of polyphosphonates which will reduce safety problems such as leakage, short circuits, overcharge, over-discharge, crush and exposure to fire as all the components of the battery will be solids.
Other strategies which will be followed to reach the targets are centered on the improvement of materials integration, modeling procedures, and optimizing the management system of the battery. These tasks will be performed by Cegasa International, Virtual Vehicle Competence Center, Lithium Balance, Cleancarb, and Atos Origin.
Recupyl and Accurec will focus on recyclability alternatives for the used components, achieving a more environmentally-friendly battery in which at least 50% by average weight will be recyclable. A Life Cycle Assessment will be included in the development of the new battery.