Building more reliable and performant batteries by embedding sensors and self-healing functionalities to detect degradation and repair damage via advanced Battery Management System

Project Information

PHOENIX

Grant agreement ID: 101103702

DOI

10.3030/101103702

EC signature date 20 March 2023

Start date 1 May 2023

End date 30 April 2027

Funded under

• Climate, Energy and Mobility

Total cost

€ 4 998 505,75

EU contribution

€ 4 998 505,75

Coordinated by

VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL
Belgium

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PHOENIX (Building more reliable and performant batteries by embedding sensors and self-healing functionalities to detect degradation and repair damage via advanced Battery Management System)

Reporting period: 2023-05-01 to 2024-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The increase of battery demand for electric mobility, grid energy storage and consumer electronics is expected to increase by factor 10 in the next decade . However, to develop and use sustainable and European batteries, the technology should aim for longer cycle life, detection and prevention of degradation, feasible recyclability, and less cost. European batteries need to be made safe, with higher cycle life and environmentally friendly, using smart functionalities such as integration of sensors and self-healing properties. Accordingly, the next generation of batteries should incorporate those functionalities with the control and management of the Battery Management System (BMS) which should be able to trigger the needs of the required functionalities. PHOENIX aims to explore a whole menu of possibilities on Self-Healing – Sensing – Triggering (figure 1). The implemented sensors and self-healing properties will be prototyped and demonstrated in different Generation 3b and 4a Li Ion batteries.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The consortium has made significant advances on all goals that have been described in the previous topic. A summary of achievements is listed here:
1) Synthesis of magnetically activated polymer electrolytes, metallic organic frameworks (MOF) coated separators and core-shell NMC composites, with initial characterisation performed.
2) First iterations of sensors have been developed and are under evaluation, with some already being integrated into battery cells for validation purposes.
3) First evaluation of newly developed trigger devices.
4) First version of the BMS is developed and distributed to partners with initial sensor tests already performed.
5) Review of a baseline cell to be used as a baseline cell for manufacturing and LCA is being developed.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The project has much potential impact in the field of self-healing battery technology, combined with sensors and triggering devices. An optimization study at the end of the project will yield a battery design and proof of concept of the ideal combination of both which will maximise the useable lifespan of the battery while being manufacturable with minimal changes to current battery production lines and at highly competitive pricing. The main key to industrialization and uptake will be communication and dissemination of results, together with a strong financial support to enable the development of spin-off companies or to support developing licensing deals. Insights in battery production knowledge will continue to be important but is nominally covered by the existing consortium. In the future, the consortium together with its sister projects (SALAMANDER and HEALING BAT) and the Battery2030+ cluster will organise workshops on the development of standardised self-healing benchmarking tests, so results can be effectively measured and communicated.

Figure 1: PHOENIX concept

PHOENIX Logo