Project description
Advanced structural batteries for next-generation hybrid electric aircraft
The EU-funded SOLIFLY project will respond to the European call for high power density/multifunctional electrical storage solutions for aeronautic applications by working on an innovative battery concept. In particular, the new batteries will feature multifunctional materials with a high degree of integration (coated carbon fibres) and multifunctional elements with a medium degree of integration (reinforced multilayer stacks). SOLIFLY aims to deliver the first aeronautic stiffened panel with an integrated semi-solid-state lithium-ion battery. Project work will pave the way for making structural batteries a viable technology for next-generation hybrid electric passenger aircraft.
Objective
SOLIFLY responds in full to the challenges of the JTI-CS2-2020-CfP11-THT-11 call, “High Power density / multifunctional electrical storage solutions for aeronautic applications”, by developing and combining two structural battery concepts: (i) multi-functional materials with a high degree of integration - Coated Carbon Fibres (CCF), and (ii) multi-functional elements with a medium degree of integration - Reinforced Multilayer Stack (RMS).
The project has three vertical objectives:
• exploring and advancing a non-conventional semi-solid-state Li-ion battery material formulation suit-able for structural batteries: NMC622 (cathode), Si/C (anode) and bicontinuous polymer-ionic liquid electrolyte (BCE), i.e. NMC622|BCE|Si/C;
• enabling the functional integration of this material within the CCF and RMS concepts, upscaling them to the level of a representative aeronautic stiffened panel structure, i.e. SOLIFLY demonstrator;
• characterising the electrochemical and mechanical performance of this demonstrator.
These vertical objectives are complemented with a horizontal one: to tailor SOLIFLY to the needs of the aeronautic industry. This is achieved by factoring end-user requirements and specifications into the design process right from the start, and by including airworthiness and manufacturing criteria together with a technology roadmap and TRL scale-up strategy. The SOLIFLY demonstrator aims at achieving a gravimetric energy density at cell level between 100 and 180 Wh/kg, a nominal discharge rate of 1C, being capable of sustaining 300+ cycles at 0.1C with 90% capacity retention and achieving TRL 4 by the end of the project (2023).
SOLIFLY ultimately aims at supporting the long-term development of the European aeronautic industry, delivering the first aeronautic stiffened panel with an integrated semi-solid-state battery, and paving the way for making structural batteries a viable technology for the next generation hybrid electric airliner.
Fields of science
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Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
1210 Wien
Austria