Work carried focused on a)definition of market requirements and KPI ,b) development of innovative materials for anode, cathode and electrolyte,c) optimization of cell configuration, electrode and cell assembly d) understanding of material interactions, post mortem analysis, d) final prototype integration, production process definition e) dissemination of results.The main results for the final reporting period have been upscaling of cell technology to 200 ,500 mAh cells and 21700 cells. In the upscaling the results of fundamental research could be applied to built up larger battery cells. The work allowed the partners to learn about all the issues which are coming up by scaling from the lab level to a pilot scale. Novel anode material Titanium niobate silicium graphite and graphite, cathode lithium nickel manganese oxide have been integrated into electrodes. Electrode processing, gel polymer electrolyte casting for integration into a 21700-cell line has been upscaled. The novel manufacturing flow is adapted for the gel polymer electrolyte membrane by adding an electrode drying step, a lamination step. 21700 cells and 500 mAh cells have been cycled under diverse charging conditions.The developed cells have been tested according UN38.3 tests, including Altitude Simulation, Thermal Cycling External Short-Circuit and the 180°C degradation test. The results have yielded promising outcomes for the novel cells. The safety tests conducted on the 200 mAh pouch cells yielded excellent results in terms of safety performance. The tests confirmed the absence of thermal runaway, a critical safety aspect, ensuring that the batteries can operate securely under stress conditions. Cycling performance of cells have been defined, from 80 % state of health to 65 % addressing energy storage market.
CoFBAT has advanced in analysis of different cells,Analysis of aging,Post-mortem analysis and identification of factors leading to a low performance in novel pouch cells have been identified as well as materials interaction within the cell that allow to improve synthesis to reduce ion diffusivity, leaching of elements.
Life cycle assessment has been carried out for novel cell process. CoFBAT has developed a recycling process in which the recycling efficiency is over 50 wt.% and tested recycled materials like titanium , niobium in the anode materials. In terms of life cycle assessment the most preferable approach for global warming effect is the use of graphite, followed by the titanium niobate.The results indicate the significant environmental impact of not having cobalt in the cell chemistry compared to cobalt systems. Regarding the Cumulative Energy Demand, the system using titanium niobate and lithium niquel manganate has the smallest contribution. Regarding the Mineral, fossil & resource depletion, the lowest indicator value corresponds also to the use of titanium niobate, approximately 5 times lower than the baseline The most preferable approach for this environmental characteristic is the titanium niobate anode
Dissemination activities in CoFBAT have been made through regular updates on website., attending more than 40 people each webinar. 8 newsletters have been distributed and 20 public deliverables have been submitted and publications in open source Zenodo have been made, CoFBAT has attended 5 cluster events. CoFBAT has been present in 14 conferences and exhibitions like the Battery Innovations Days (BID) in 2023, the 5th International Forum on Progress and Trends in Battery and Capacitor Technologies 2021 .3 Promotional videos were released and one final event was organized.