New umbrella brand BLB+ launched Overview of current battery research projects

The newly initiated umbrella brand “BLB+ Braunschweig Labfactories for Batteries and more” embodies the diverse research landscape for energy storage systems and converters in Braunschweig. Current “BLB+” projects at a glance.

View of the new “CircularLab” research facility at the Braunschweig Research Airport as part of BLB+. Photo credit: Christian Bierwagen/TU Braunschweig

The NaNaBatt project focuses on increasing the efficiency and sustainability of sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) production through innovative process strategies from active material to cell construction. Based on the extensive experience of the project consortium in the production of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the processing and workability of the materials will be analysed and a transfer from laboratory to production scale will be carried out using environmentally friendly process routes for the production of the electrodes. Both the overall process chain and the performance and safety of the manufactured demonstrator cells will be analysed and evaluated.

In contrast to solvent-based production, dry coating eliminates the use of solvents and the energy-intensive drying step. The holistic development of dry coating electrodes for lithium-ion batteries (LiB) and lithium-polymer solid-state batteries (SSB) is being investigated in the GUTBatt project.

GIGABAT – Sustainable and Digitalised Gigafactory with Machines Made in Europe: The EU-funded GIGABAT project addresses the urgent need to establish an efficient and sustainable value chain for battery production. Focusing on Li-ion battery technology, in particular GEN3b with nickel-rich cathodes and silicon-based anodes, GIGABAT aims to connect the EU automotive sectors with local machine suppliers and data management specialists to improve productivity, quality and reduce production losses.

The VCpure research project aims to strengthen battery development in Germany. The project focuses on reducing the dependence on Chinese suppliers of vinylene carbonate (VC), a key additive in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), by developing a sustainable and economically viable synthesis of VC. In addition, the formation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on battery anodes will be optimised to achieve potential cost savings and increase the attractiveness of battery production in Germany.

This text first appeared in the newsletter of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, summer semester 2024, July 2024.