THE BATTERY 2030+ ROADMAP HAS IDENTIFIED FIVE RESEARCH AREAS
Batteries Interface Genome (BIG)
To really understand the complex interfacial processes that govern the operation and functioning of the battery is a prerequisite if you want to develop better batteries than the ones on the market. 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.
Materials Acceleration platform (MAP)
A critical element to accelerate the battery discovery process is the development of an AI-orchestrated and autonomous platform utilizing data from all domains, time- and length scales of the battery value chain. As mentioned above 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.
Smart functionalities – combining sensors and self-healing mechanisms
The demand for highly reliable and long-life batteries has revitalized battery-sensing activities to monitor 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.
In the Battery 2030+ projects sensor solutions are developed to detect degradation and failure mechanisms, intentionally before a loss of performance. It can be both internal and external sensors that, in real-time, measures the battery cell parameters, and sends it to the battery management system (BMS). The idea is to let the BMS govern the flow of energy to and from the battery system, monitoring sensor data to identify events indicating degradation, as well as initiate self-healing actions to reinstate the virgin configuration of the battery. A self-healing research program is therefore developed hand in hand with the sensing one.
Manufacturability and digital twins
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 focuses 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.
Recyclability
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.
Mining 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. The B 2030+ projects aims to develop this further by novel metallurgical processes for advanced leaching and solution purification, the conversion of battery-grade salts and synthesis of cathodes and anodes in the recycling streams etc.