CIC energiGUNE, the Basque research center of reference in battery storage, thermal energy solutions and hydrogen technologies, and member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance-BRTA, is working on the development of a new lithium metal (LiM) battery cell technology based on an innovative, safe, high performance and scalable hybrid solid-state electrolyte. This research is part of the European ADVAGEN project, in which the Basque center participates together with other 13 key players in the battery sector.
“Europe needs a competitive advantage that allows it to position itself right in front of the Asian competence in the race for the electric mobility, and this project offers good prospects for that goal”, assured Jokin Rikarte, Principal Investigator of CIC energiGUNE in this project. “Through ADVAGEN we are going to make solid-state batteries more energy dense, more efficient, safer and less expensive than conventional lithium batteries”, said Grazia Accardo, Project Manager at CIC energiGUNE.
The development of a new lithium metal (LiM) cell technology will be carried out in three phases. First, solid-state hybrid electrolytes (oxide and sulfur) will be developed to achieve the required conductivity. Nickel-rich cathodes, lithium metal anodes and protective layers for interface optimization will also be developed.
Secondly, a prototype of small (until 1 Ah) and large cells (10 Ah) cells in “pouch” format will be created to evaluate the scalability of the materials. And, finally, the performance, safety and aging of the battery cells will be evaluated.
