AM4BAT

INTRODUCTION

The rapid rise of electric mobility and renewable energies is pushing the market for Li-ion batteries to the next levels. By 2030, global battery demand is expected to have grown 19-fold versus 2018 volumes. Most battery technologies are still based on conventional liquid electrolyte systems, which is a major concern for safety.

We have asked Maitane what will be the next generation Li-ion materials? Maitane: “Lithium Ion technology is the most developed technology and is suitable for many applications. Solid state batteries are under research now to be the technology to be used due to their high energy density and safety capabilities. However, there are still some barriers to overcome, such as avoiding the usage of Cobalt. Therefore the study and research of other types of batteries are needed”.

So, why is AM4BAT important ? Maitane: “AM4BAT ambitious goals are to deliver novel cells chemistry adapted to innovative 3D printing manufacturing, simplifying the challenging SSB assembly process, and to produce a prototype meeting the Gen4b requirements. Besides overcoming the technical and cost-related challenges of the SSB technology, the AM4BAT project aims at facilitating its uptake and broader electric vehicles acceptance and, henceforth ultimately, contributes to the EU’s objective to achieve the energy transition.  AM4BAT, especially its potential huge impact on electric mobility in Europe, enters directly in the context of several high-level strategic policies and implementation actions. It will contribute to several Sustainable Development Goals and their targets for Europe.  On the political level AM4BAT is in line with the GREEN DEAL Strategy for decarbonisation and will drive e‐mobility forward”.

AIM (WHAT)

AM4BAT will develop innovative component materials and assemble an anode-free all-solid-state battery (ASSB) manufactured by a cost-competitive and sustainable vat photopolymerization 3D printing. The objective is to reach a high-performance battery the energy density of 400 Wh/kg and 1000 Wh/L for electric vehicles applications.

METHODOLOGY (HOW)

This will be achieved by developing materials including i) single crystal NMC811 with superior energy, ii) LNMO Co-free and higher voltage for power AM4BAT variant, iii) dopped LLZO with different size from 0.5 to 5µm and 50-100 nm for higher loading in the HSE, and iv) novel acrylic, nanocellulose, sustainable photocurable polymer. The materials will be optimized for their processing by additive manufacturing. AM4BAT will then validate the technology via 3-Ah pouch cells reaching TRL5, and will carry out an evaluation of manufacturability, a full sustainability assessment and a recycling study to support customers’ uptake. Identified stakeholder groups as well as other research initiatives will be actively involved to ensure dissemination of AM4BAT results and broader users’ acceptance. With its ambitious concept based on cutting-edge 3D printed ASSB and a strong consortium involving the whole value chain from material providers to an OEM, AM4BAT aims to overcome the remaining technological obstacles of the Gen 4b technology as specified in the work programme and accomplish the urgent shorter-term needs of the battery industry: to make Gen 4b batteries a viable technology beyond 2025.

IMPACT (WHY)

On longer term, the AM4BAT outcomes will contribute to the creation of a sustainable European battery manufacturing value chain helping the EU to succeed in the electric mobility roll-out and accelerate the energy transition.