InTreS

   

Innovative carrier materials for the optimization of current arresters in electrical storage systems

Motivation and procedure

Decentralized energy storage from renewable energies to electromobility is based on the continuous further development of electric storage systems. The central research question lies in particular in the efficiency of energy storage: on the one hand, costs have to be reduced and, on the other hand, the service life and performance of batteries have to be improved. Until now, battery research has focused on cell chemistry. However, conductive carrier materials in particular have a decisive influence on the performance and costs of lithium-ion batteries.
For this reason, this joint project aims to increase the performance of electrical storage devices based on lithium-ion technology by using innovative carrier materials to conserve resources. The aim is to replace current arresters (Al and Cu foils) of the battery cell with three-dimensional carrier materials (expanded metals, metal foams, metal mesh, etc.) and to validate their potential.
The consortium of research and industry covered the entire value chain of battery production and has a broad know-how as well as a very good infrastructure. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Research objectives

The overriding objective of the present research project is to increase the performance of electrical storage devices by using innovative carrier materials in a resource-conserving manner. The aim is to generate an improved bond between substrate and active material and thus to improve the service life of batteries. In addition, higher energy densities are aimed at by designing a larger surface-to-volume ratio of the inactive carrier materials used.

By using innovative carrier materials, the aim is to achieve the same function within a lithium-ion battery cell with less material. Since aluminium and copper in particular can only be produced or recovered with great effort, any reduction in these materials has a positive impact on the environment. These new materials can not only be used in stationary storage systems to support the energy revolution, but can also act as innovation drivers. It is very realistic that a successful application of these innovative carrier materials in stationary storage systems can lead to a transfer to mobile storage systems. This means that expanded metal or metal foams, for example, also have the potential to be used in energy storage systems for electromobility, thus enabling environmentally friendly mobility. If it is also possible to establish these materials in batteries for the consumer sector, we can speak of a key enabling technology.

 

Project number

EFRE-0800612

Funding institution

European Union & OP EFRE NRW

Period

01/01/2017 through 12/31/2019