Project description
Self-healing battery technology
Batteries play a crucial role in modern technologies, supporting the smooth operation of vehicles, tools, and energy storage for efficient use of renewable energy sources. However, the production processes of most batteries are environmentally harmful and require substantial amounts of raw materials. With this in mind, the EU-funded PHOENIX project is dedicated to developing innovative battery cells with integrated sensors and self-healing functionalities. These advancements aim to increase their lifespan and sustainability. Specifically, the project will create a battery management system capable of detecting damage and initiating self-healing processes. PHOENIX will also conduct research on recycling possibilities, as well as explore potential upgrades for the batteries. The aim is to enhance the environmental friendliness and efficiency of battery technology.
Objective
PHOENIX aims to develop battery cells with integrated sensors (mechanical, enhanced impedance spectroscopy, temperature, gas, reference electrode) and self-healing (SH) functionalities (magnetically activated polymers, thermally activated polymers, metallic organic frameworks coated separator, core-shell NMC composites). Tailor made triggering devices to activate SH mechanisms will be developed, prototyped and demonstrated in Generation 3b and 4a Li Ion batteries. A Battery Management System (BMS), capable of detecting defective operations and of triggering SH functionalities will be developed with in-line communication. The degradation detection and quality, reliability and life (QRL) will be tested through dedicated profiles (fast charging, extreme temperatures, calendar life). The novel batteries’ manufacturing will be studied from a recycling and mass production point of view.
PHOENIX’s objectives:
1. Develop sensors to detect healable degradation mechanisms
2. Develop materials with SH functionalities triggered by external stimulus to eliminate/avoid failure mechanisms in battery cell components
3. Develop triggering devices to activate SH mechanisms
4. Demonstrate proof of concept for coupling sensors and SH agents via BMS
5. Detect critical degradation processes during cell ageing and estimate the QRL over the life span
6. Assess the environmental sustainability and demonstrate the competitive advantage over alternative approaches such as replacement, recycling or second use
7. Adopt an adaptable approach towards battery cells mass production processes which do not hinder the subsequent recycling process and enables an economic evaluation of the developed cells
PHOENIX will collaborate with the BATTERY 2030+ initiative and will contribute to Europe’s competitive and sustainable battery manufacturing industry. PHOENIX consortium is a partnership of 4 RTOs, 1 university, 4 SMEs expert in materials, sensors, modelling, BMS, recycling and battery manufacturing.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecycling
- natural scienceschemical scienceselectrochemistryelectric batteries
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcomposites
- natural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciences
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinator
1050 Bruxelles / Brussel
Belgium