Objective Objectives and problems to be solved: The outstanding characteristics of Lithium-ion technology make it a natural choice for a large number of applications and it appears as a cross sect oral technology in the field of energy storage. For this technology, battery producers and automobile manufacturers alike recognise that the challenges are now related to cost effectiveness and safety issues, the points that will be addressed in the present project together with improvement of performances. The challenging objective for the project is to develop new materials for lithium-ion batteries, in order to reduce the cost and to improve safety under abuse conditions, the most critical issues for a widespread development of this technology in automotive applications. Description of work: The general objective is to develop new materials, which can provide a battery cost lower than 150 EUR/kWh and a safe electrochemistry: these are non-flammable electrolytes and low cost, high performance electrode materials. Technical and cost specifications to be achieved are targeted for each new material to be developed in the framework of this project in order to reach these goals. We will propose innovative solutions through the development of speciality materials. First, non-flammable battery grade electrolytes which will provide a substantial improvement of the thermal and oxidative stability and consequently of the safety at cell level. Second, new low cost lithium metal transition oxide (Ni, Mn) positive materials with controlled particle size will respond to the challenge of adequate calendar life at elevated temperature. Third, high performance graphitised carbons with cost divided by eight with respect to the one presently used. These materials will be used for hybrid vehicle batteries, and for batteries of the new generation of vehicles with 42-V alternator-starter systems. Expected Results and Exploitation Plans: It is expected to achieve cost objectives that will enable widespread development of Li-ion batteries for automotive applications in the framework of hybrid vehicles and 42-V batteries, to increase the thermal stability at the cell level so as to improve the abuse tolerance of the batteries The work will contribute to EU objectives which have been defined as a priority for FP5 through beneficial effects on the environment (reduced fuel consumption of hybrid vehicles) and more efficient use of energy (high efficiency of lithium-ion batteries), our project will contribute to a reduction of the negative impacts of urban transport, which is claimed as a priority for the next decade in Europe. Fields of science natural scienceschemical scienceselectrochemistryelectric batteriesnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryalkali metalsengineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuels Keywords Nanotechnology Programme(s) FP5-EESD - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Energy, environment and sustainable development, 1998-2002" Topic(s) 1.1.4.-6. - Key action Economic and Efficient Energy for a Competitive Europe Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator SAFT S.A. EU contribution No data Address 156,Route de Nozay 156 91460 MARCOUSSIS France See on map Total cost No data Participants (4) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all ERACHEM COMILOG S.A. (ERAMET & COMILOG CHEMICALS S.A.) Belgium EU contribution No data Address Rue de la Carbo 7333 TERTRE See on map Total cost No data MERCK KGAA Germany EU contribution No data Address Frankfurter Strasse 250 64271 DARMSTADT See on map Total cost No data SOLVAY FLUOR GMBH Germany EU contribution No data Address 20,Hans-Böckler-Allee 20 30173 Hannover See on map Total cost No data TIMCAL LTD Switzerland EU contribution No data Address Industrie Nord 5643 SINS See on map Total cost No data