Project description
Driving electric vehicles to the future of battery technology
Driving range, cost and recharge times are the three major roadblocks to electric vehicle (EV) uptake. The roll-out of better charging infrastructure is expected to increase sales in the coming years. With this in mind, the EU-funded Si-DRIVE project will develop the next generation of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, allowing for cost-competitive mass market EVs. Specifically, the project will harness innovations in transformative materials and cell chemistry to deliver superior energy density, cycle life and fast charging capabilities. The technology consists of amorphous silicon coated onto a conductive copper silicide network as the anode with polymer/ionic liquid electrolytes and lithium-rich high-voltage (cobalt-free) cathodes via processes that are scalable and demonstrably manufacturable within Europe.
Objective
Si-DRIVE will develop the next generation of rechargeable Li-ion batteries, allowing for cost competitive mass market EVs by transformative materials and cell chemistry innovations, delivering enhanced safety with superior energy density, cycle life and fast charging capability using sustainable and recyclable components.The technology encompasses amorphous Si coated onto a conductive copper silicide network as the anode with polymer/ionic liquid electrolytes and Li-rich high voltage (Co-free) cathodes via processes that are scalable and demonstrably manufacturable within Europe.The components have been demonstrated at TRL3 through preliminary lab-scale analysis, with a clear component improvement strategy to arrive at a TRL5 prototype demonstration by the end of Si-DRIVE. Comprehensive theoretical and experimental studies will probe and control interfacial processes that have heretofore limited Li-ion technologies to incremental gains, guiding materials design and eliminating capacity fade mechanisms.The Si-DRIVE technology will exceed the stringent demands of EV batteries where safety is paramount, by dramatically improving each component within the accepted Li-ion platform and achieving this in a market competitive process with whole of life considerations. The technology will also demonstrate suitability for 2nd life applications at reduced energy density beyond the primary EV lifetime, prior to cost effective materials recycling, consistent with a circular economy.The Si-DRIVE consortium boasts the required academic and industrial partner expertise to deliver this technology and spans material design and synthesis, electrochemical testing, prototype formation and production method validation, life cycle assessment and recycling process development.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecycling
- natural scienceschemical scienceselectrochemistryelectric batteries
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryalkali metals
- natural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciences
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloids
Keywords
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
- Limerick
Ireland
See on map
Participants (17)
76131 Karlsruhe
See on map
Participation ended
5657 EB Eindhoven
See on map
00196 Roma
See on map
31100 Toulouse
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
20014 San Sebastian
See on map
00185 Roma
See on map
Participation ended
81016 San Potito Sannitico
See on map
3000 Leuven
See on map
51147 Koln
See on map
52062 Aachen
See on map
8600 Dubendorf
See on map
10043 Orbassano
See on map
10090 Buttigliera Alta
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
10129 Torino
See on map
70563 Stuttgart
See on map
5657 EB Eindhoven
See on map
Participation ended
81016 San Potito Sannitico
See on map