| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/J013811/1 |
| Title: |
A novel high-throughput extrusion-lamination process for lithium-ion battery manufacture |
| Principal Investigator: |
Ward, Professor IM |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Physics and Astronomy |
| Organisation: |
University of Leeds |
| Scheme: |
Follow on Fund |
| Starts: |
05 January 2012 |
Ends: |
04 July 2013 |
Value (£): |
124,021
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Complex fluids & soft solids |
Materials Characterisation |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Manufacturing |
Electronics |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
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18 Oct 2011
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Follow-on Fund
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Announced
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
This programme of research is to develop and demonstrate the feasibility of producing a completely new high performance solid state battery suitable for scaling into applications such as electric vehicles, consumer electronics and green energy.
Conventional technology
In the typical conventional Li-ion technology the two electrode foils are kept apart physically by a porous film and the whole battery is enclosed in a rigid container into which the highly flammable liquid electrolyte is injected. This is a batch process of two or more stages.
Most research into Li-ion batteries focuses on the electrodes especially to increase capacity; these are then incorporated in the conventional battery fabrication method. Little research is undertaken into the electrolyte and separators and even less on developing more cost effective fabrication methods and alternatives processing routes.
Advantages of the Leeds technology
The Leeds polymer gel electrolyte and extrusion lamination technology differs from the conventional in that the electrolyte acts as both separator and ion conductor. The highly conducting polymer gel electrolytes possess excellent mechanical toughness and electrochemical stability. The laminated gel electrolyte binds the cell together from within, can be produced on continuous single process, requires no rigid container, and is flexible and formable. Instead of separate components of electrolyte, binder and separator these electrolytes can act as all three.
The development of a thermoreversible gel electrolyte enables melt extrusion of the gel and continuous production of battery cells at high extrusion rates of at least 10m/minute. The elimination of the expensive porous film separator and the high speed extrusion lamination process significantly reduce the cost of battery production.
The programme of research
The Leeds process has been developed and demonstrated for a number of years. It is now poised to take the technology forward to develop the process for the reliable production of multilayer laminates which can be immediately incorporated into batteries.
The development of the process will require a study of the formation of gels at the fast extrusion rates that are required for commercially viable processing.
Future commercial developments
This programme will demonstrate that the technology can produce mainstream cost effective Li-ion batteries with enhanced safety and high specific capacity.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.leeds.ac.uk |