ExLaLib
Enhancing Energy and Material Efficiency through the Use of Extrusion and Laser Drying Technologies in the Manufacturing of Electrodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Motivation and Procedure
In the electric powertrain, the lithium-ion battery is still the most expensive component. The cell is the most expensive part of the battery, which provides the Asian market leaders with a significant share of the added value due to the expensive materials used and the complex manufacturing process.
In order to reduce the costs of the cell, the quality of the manufacturing process must be improved and the consumption of materials and energy reduced.
Research Objectives
- The research project seeks to optimize the conventional production process of lithium-ion batteries under consideration of technological as well as energy- and material efficiency aspects, using extrusion and laser drying technologies in the manufacturing of electrodes.
- The mixing of the coating paste is to be performed using an extruder and largely without the use of solvents. A laser shall be used to dry the coated electrode films.
- By applying these manufacturing technologies, which are completely new to the electrode manufacturing process, the resource efficiency shall be enhanced by reducing material and energy expenditures.
- This can be achieved by reduction of the solvent required in the manufacturing process and decreasing the required heat energy.
Research and Project Partners
- RWTH Aachen Unversity
- University of Münster
- MEET Battery Center
- Philips GmbH Photonics
The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE) during the period from 03/09/2016 to 12/31/2019.