Project description
A boost for battery sustainability with natural materials
The growing popularity of electric vehicles is accompanied by the challenge of managing the increasing number of end-of-life batteries, with projections showing 2 million tonnes worldwide by 2030. Additionally, battery production suffers from high scrap rates, especially during ramp-ups, while the scarcity of raw materials adds pressure on Europe to localise supply chains. These challenges underscore the urgent need for greater sustainability in the battery value chain. In this context, the ERC-funded EXCELL project will introduce a revolutionary battery separator made from 100 % natural cellulose nanocomposites. With tunable mesopores and the ability to integrate sensing elements, this new separator will enhance the lifespan and recyclability of batteries, paving the way for smarter, eco-friendly cell components.
Objective
As the popularity of electric vehicles continues to increase, so does the number of batteries reaching the end-of-life that are used to power them being expected that by 2030 it will reach 2 million tons worldwide. On top of this the complexity of battery production results in very high scrap rates (about 10%-30%), especially during production ramp-up, while the scarcity of raw materials in Europe are intensifying EU regulations to localize supply chains and safeguard critical raw materials.
It is evident that there is strong need to increase sustainability in the batteries value chain and contributions may come from improving both their lifetime and recyclability of the cell components. In EXCELL it is proposed to prove a new concept for batteries separators based on a 100% natural cellulose nanocomposite with tuneable mesopores obtained by a mixture of nanofibers and cellulose nanocrystals. Additionally, these new separators will be suitable for the incorporation of sensing elements that will enable the new generation of smart battery cells. EXCELL will follow the outputs of NEWFUN-StG where it was demonstrated that cellulose based ionic conductive materials are possible to be recycled and reused while maintaining the electrochemical performance. The PI’s team has also demonstrated that cellulose nanocrystals are able to create mesoporous ionic conductive channels that can be tunned to specific alkali ions but proper functionalization of the crystals’ surface. EXCELL will now demonstrate the synergic effect of combining both to form hierarchical mesoporous membranes exhibiting a unique set of characteristics that can meet those ones expected for an “ideal” separator.
EXCELL will follow an approach of validating the new separator concept and then implement a IPR consolidation and a business case to attract the attention of battery market stakeholders on new opportunities for cell components based on abundant natural resources that are recyclable/biodegradable.
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.
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials nanocrystals
- engineering and technology materials engineering nanocomposites
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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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) ERC-2022-POC2
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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.
1099 085 Lisboa
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.