Project description
A new blueprint for solid-state batteries
Electric cars need lighter batteries that can store more power. Silicon is a great choice because it holds ten times more energy than graphite. However, silicon swells and breaks when it charges, which ruins the battery. The ERC-funded TWIN-SiNERGY project intends to solve this problem by building a solid-state battery that does not break. They use a 3D porous silicon component and a solid polymer material to handle the swelling without heavy tools. Scientists will use live imaging and computer models to see how the battery works under stress. This project aims to make silicon a strong component of the next generation of European cars, thereby helping to create a stable supply for the future of green transport in Europe.
Objective
Silicon (Si) presents a promising advancement over current graphite electrodes for high-energy automotive batteries, offering a tenfold greater capacity (3579 mAh g⁻¹). However, its application is hindered by substantial volume changes during charge/discharge cycling that causes rapid degradation. Overcoming this challenge is pivotal to achieve a climate-neutral society.
Redefining the conventional paradigm, TWIN-SiNERGY aims to deliver a transformative separator-free monolithic Si all-solid-state battery (ASSB) that far surpasses the current state-of-the-art in energy density, cycle life and charging speed. Notably, it overcomes the longstanding reliance on external pressurisation devices—a critical barrier in ASSBs that cause structural issues in the pack design while driving up costs.
This ambitious target will be achieved through my expertise and vision, driving the fabrication of a 3D Porous mSi electrode Reinforced with Integrated Multiscale Engineering (3D-PRIME) underpinned by a bottom-up multiscale manufacturing (BUMM) framework, followed by infiltration and in-situ polymerisation of a trifunctional solid polymer electrolyte. The resulting electrode will feature significantly improved mass transport, ionic and electrical conductivity, reaction kinetics, interfacial stability and reduced volume changes. This BUMM framework is guided by a deeper understanding of the multiscale electro-chemo-mechanical processes and the structure vs. property relationship in mSi electrodes. This is obtained through the integration of physical twin (i.e. operando imaging of a battery in operation) and digital twin (i.e. 3D physics-based and data-driven battery models) techniques.
With the rapidly expanding Si electrode industry, TWIN-SiNERGY is both timely and impactful, marking a significant departure from conventional design constraints in ASSBs. It will serve as a cornerstone in positioning Europe as a global leader in new battery chemistries.
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.
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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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.
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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 - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-COG
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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.
E1 4NS LONDON
United Kingdom
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