THE BATTERY 2030+ ROADMAP HAS IDENTIFIED FIVE RESEARCH AREAS
Accelerated Materials Discovery
The interface and acceleration projects of Battery 2030+ enhance the fundamental understanding of the processes in batteries, a prerequisite to development more stable chemistries adapted for different purposes. The complexity arises from multiple reactions happening simultaneously, which strongly depends on battery parameters, such as composition of the electrolyte, structures of the electrode materials, and ambient factors such as the temperature.
A critical element to accelerate the battery discovery process is the development of an AI-orchestrated and autonomous platform utilizing data from all domains. X-ray–based techniques, as well as neutron-based techniques, are critical, specifically combined, to unlock information about battery interfaces. Apps for fast, automated analysis and characterization using AI, machine learning and simulation are needed and currently being developed. Important here is also get the battery eco-system onboard and establish community-wide testing protocols, ontology and data standards for battery interfaces.
Battery Functionality
The demand for highly reliable and long-life batteries has revitalized battery-sensing and self-healing activities to monitor and correct the effects of temperature, pressure, strain, impedance and potential.
To a large degree the battery performance relies on temperature-driven reactions with unpredictable kinetics. Although monitoring temperature is essential for improving battery cycle life and longevity, this is not directly measured today at the cell level in electric vehicle (EV) applications. Large amount of data generated, poor resolution, and susceptibility to background noise presently hinder industrial introduction.
In the Battery 2030+ projects sensor solutions are developed to detect degradation and failure mechanisms, intentionally before a loss of performance. These sensors measure in real-time battery cell parameters, and sends it to the battery management system (BMS). A self-healing research program is developed hand in hand with the sensing one.
Battery Interfaces
To develop better batteries than the ones on the market needs a fundamental understanding of the complex interfacial processes that govern the operation and functioning of the battery. However, innovation is currently being hindered by the lack of understanding of the processes happening at atomic levels in the batteries’ interfaces and interphases. Even slight modifications in the electrode structure, the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) or the processing conditions can lead to a drastic change in the battery performance. The Battery 2030+ projects will use different methods such as synchrotron radiation facilities, X-ray scattering, enhanced Raman, diverse spectroscopy techniques and multiscale modelling supported by machine learning algorithms, to understand down to atomic level the electrochemical interface and transport mechanisms taking place in the battery during charging and recharging.
Manufacturability
Battery manufacturing is a topic covering a large area. It may refer to individual cells, cell modules, or battery packs. Regardless, manufacturability must be considered at an early stage. Materials sourcing, processing, manufacturing and assembly processes must be tailored to accommodate new chemistries and follow innovative approaches to allow for efficient manufacturing, reconditioning of battery packs, and re-use.
When it comes to manufacturability the B 2030+ projects focus on digital twins and virtualization. We believe the battery of the future will be based on virtual representation to a much higher degree than today. We develop digital tools and modelling, to predict the impact of manufacturing early on and get methods to reduce the high degree of defects in today’s production.
Raw Materials & Recycling
To be able to dismantle and recycle batteries is essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of the battery economy. A new European battery regulation demands that batteries placed in the EU market are sustainable and safe throughout their life cycle. Technical approaches to solve this can range from direct recovery of the active materials, automated sorting and disassembly strategies, pre-treatment methods based on electrohydraulic fragmentation, to new recycling concepts, such as reconditioning or the reusing of electrodes.
During 2023 EC launched a new version of the Critical Raw Materials ACT (CRMA) to reduce Europe’s dependency on imported critical and strategic raw materials. Mining in industrialized countries, like the Nordic ones, is also carried out in a more responsible, environmentally friendly ways than in many other countries around the globe. In the B 2030+ projects we aim to develop pilot scale solutions for battery-grade precursors and their anode and cathode materials and novel metallurgical processes for advanced leaching and solution purification.