SOLiD

Situation

Lithium-ion battery cells with conventional active materials such as graphite and lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt oxides (NMC) have reached their limits in terms of energy density. The use of lithium in metallic form could significantly increase the energy density. Furthermore, given the calls for faster charging processes, the liquid electrolyte in conventional lithium-ion batteries is becoming a safety hazard. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop innovative, scalable manufacturing technologies for the use of safe solid-state electrolytes to make the use of high-energy-density lithium-metal batteries feasible.

Course of action

Within the next four years, the project team plans to develop on a pilot scale a sustainable, cost-efficient manufacturing process for a safe and easily recyclable solid-state lithium-metal battery with a high energy density. To achieve this, the following technologies are being developed:

• Powder extrusion for the production of a cathode-electrolyte composite with NMC active material and carbon nanotubes as an additive.
• Laser beam evaporation for the production of ultra-thin lithium-metal anodes and inorganic barrier layers
• Slot-die coating for the production of the polymer-based solid-state electrolyte
• Digital quality assurance and inline product characterisation methods for controlling and optimising manufacturing processes

Looking ahead

The SOLiD project will develop novel production methods and materials for the manufacture of solid-state batteries and make them available for industrial use.

^{The project is supported by the Horizon Europe research and innovation funding programme and the State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation (SERI) under contract numbers 22.00179 and 22.00246.}