Vision & Concept

SOLIDBAT CONTEXT

The battery market is currently dominated by rechargeable Li-ion batteries (LIBs). However, their energy density is well below the Electric Vehicle (EV) sector demands, and the use of flammable organic liquid electrolytes carries a severe safety risk. Lithium metal (LiM) as anode has emerged as the most promising alternative to graphite anodes in current LIBs due to its ten times higher theoretical capacity. Nevertheless, the high reactivity of LiM implies serious security hazards when combined with a highly flammable liquid electrolyte. For this reason, the deployment of LiM anodes requires a shift towards safer electrolytes, such as solid-state electrolytes (SSEs). LiM polymer batteries have been successfully implemented in EVs by Blue Solutions, evidencing the potential application of this technology. Nonetheless, the performance provided by these batteries is still far from meeting the targeted energy density and cyclability.

The main obstacle to introduce SSBs to the industrial level are the manufacturability of the LiM anode, the lack of self-standing SSE providing sufficient ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability and the final cost of the battery. Based on these results and limitations, SOLIDBAT will build an advanced solution for SSB materials and prototypes that will enable achieving a scalable technology with performances and costs compatible with transportation markets.

PROJECT

SOLIDBAT targets a new SSB technology delivering high energy density (>400 Wh/kg, 1000 Wh/L), high rate-capability, and long cyclability, and improving at the same time safety, cost and recyclability for an optimised environmental and climate impact. The SOLIDBAT cell will consist of a high-capacity Ni-rich (Li(Ni0.8Mn0.1Co0.1)O2, NMC811) coated cathode active material (CAM), a high-energy 3D structured LiM anode, and a highly performant single Li-ion conductive Hybrid Gel Polymer Electrolyte (HGPE). Moreover, SOLIDBAT incorporates from the design stage a strong awareness for sustainability, recycling, and environmental impact. The use of critical raw materials will be reduced, and a greener manufacturing process will be developed avoiding the use of organic solvents (such as irritant and reproductive toxic N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone, NMP). The recycling of each component will be considered during all steps, starting from the preliminary materials’ selection all the way to the final cell design. Thanks to these innovative crosscutting solutions, combined with an automated and scalable manufacturing concept, SOLIDBAT will contribute to the energy and transport transition towards climate neutrality.

OBJECTIVES

SOLIDBAT aims to demonstrate a replicable (TRL6) solid-state battery technology that meets EV performance and cost requirements safely and sustainably, driving adoption. A skilled consortium covering the battery value chain supports this effort. By 2030, SOLIDBAT will achieve 500 cycles at 80% DoD, >400 Wh/kg energy density, 1000 Wh/L, and a cost of 75 €/kWh at pack level. Its cell components and manufacturing process will align with EU sustainability, safety, and recyclability standards.

These are the main objectives:

• Define solid-state battery cell and tests according to end-user requirements.
• Develop models and digital tools for material and cell design.
• Develop an industrially compatible and high-performance hybrid gel polymer electrolyte.
• Develop a structured thin lithium metal anode.
• Design a water-borne high loading NMC cathode.
• Understand interfacial interactions in SSBs enabling the tailored design of stable interfaces.
• Scale-up of all SSB components up to TRL6.
• Demonstrate processability of SSBs up to TRL6 with 5 Ah cells.
• Develop models to predict electrochemical performance and aging.
• Validate safety, performance and repeatability of SOLIDBAT technology.
• Design a sustainable industrial processing method.
• Demonstrate industrial, economic and business feasibility.