Project description
Lithium-ion batteries that work well in extreme cold
Cold weather affects lithium-ion battery life, reducing both efficiency and usable capacity. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PLuTO project aims to improve lithium-ion battery performance at sub-zero temperatures. Leveraging the nanoparticle capability to efficiently and quickly heat up when illuminated by light, researchers will incorporate noble metal nanoparticles in the electrolyte. For a successful proof of concept of their idea, researchers will use a transparent electrochemical cell with a lithium-iron-phosphate cathode, selected owing to its capability to remain stable at extreme temperatures. If successful, project work could enable applications necessitating high-performance batteries in extremely cold temperatures, such as electric cars in cold climates and space exploration.
Objective
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are currently the most versatile all-purpose energy storage solution. However, LIB performance is strongly affected by temperature. In particular, at sub-zero temperatures, LIB performance is dramatically reduced. This is detrimental for LIB deployment in cold climates found in Northern Europe or high-altitude mountainous regions and hinders their widespread use in airplanes, high-altitude aerial vehicles and military and aerospace applications. The PLuTO project aims to develop a new viable approach to improve LIB performance at low temperatures. To this end, the PLuTO project will forge a photo-induced heating route for low temperature operation of liquid electrolyte batteries by incorporating in-situ synthesized noble metal nanoparticles suspended in the electrolyte, harnessing the nanoparticles capability to efficiently and quickly heat up when illuminated by light. Moreover, with a proper distribution of nanoparticles, uniform heating will guarantee a safe operation of the cell. The PLuTO project aims at achieving a first-time demonstration of photo-induced heating in a liquid electrolyte battery by using a transparent electrochemical cell with a LiFePO4 cathode (chosen due to its recognized stability at extreme temperatures). A balanced approach between computational modelling, chemical synthesis, fabrication and characterization will be implemented to investigate the influence of photo-induced heating in the electrochemical processes of the LIB cell and identify design rules for a suitable practical implementation in industrial/commercial applications. Finally, the research proposed within PLuTO is strategically positioned at the intersection between the optical-thermal-electrochemical fields and provides an excellent opportunity for the researcher to come out as a leading figure at the forefront of battery research, contributing to European competitiveness in the battery field.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
4715-330 Braga
Portugal
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.