Advanced Materials for Batteries (MAT4BAT)
The MAT4BAT project addresses Li-ion batteries for use in electric vehicles. Behavioral and predictive models for battery performance and lifetime under various practical operating conditions have been developed. These models were used to assess the three new generations of Li-ion cells developed within the MAT4BAT project. Each cell generation aimed at improved product lifetime and safety. Market acceptance of the new cell generations has been studied through life cycle and cost assessment and by developing business studies.
Li-ion technologies initiated in the 90’ at a fast development pace thanks mainly to emerging ICTs with more than 20 GWh sold in 2010. Soon, it appeared as a credible technology for electrical vehicles as it could provide average energy densities of about 140 Wh/kg. However and since then, major breakthroughs have been expected to reach higher storage levels of 250 Wh/kg on battery system level with an acceptable lifetime of 3000 cycles in order to develop an affordable economical business plan for car batteries.
MAT4BAT builds-up its EVs battery strategy on advanced materials and pilot line processes, proposing three novel concepts of cells initiating from a state-of-the art combination of cell materials (NMC/Carbonate liquid electrolyte/Graphite). MAT4BAT addresses all critical ageing mechanisms associated to this technology and having direct impacts on product lifetime & safety by implementing two work programs for Battery Assessment (#1) and Battery Technologies (#2).
Program #1 sets a framework to define critical charging modalities for a battery system during practical use and associated testing tools & methods for relevant functional performance & lifetime assessment. Within this framework, the program #2 implements three generations of cells with a focus on electrolytes which have been steadily transformed from Liquid to Gel to All-Solid state electrolytes in order to promote substantial gain in cell lifetime and safety by preventing degradations and hazards and improving energy density with a separator-free cell (all-solid state electrolyte).
100 state-of-the-art commercial cells have been assessed to define normal and critical charge/discharge conditions of testing with appropriate testing protocols. Besides, materials increments have been screened out on coin-cells prior a benchmarking of most promising materials at full cells level. Eventually, (10-40 A.h) prototypes have been produced to validate MAT4BAT best technologies against quantified objectives.
EnergyVille contributed to the development of behavioral and predictive models for battery performance and lifetime under various practical operating conditions. In addition EnergyVille studied, together with VITO, KIT and Renault the market acceptance of the new cell generations through life cycle and cost assessment and by developing business studies.
