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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/S001239/2
Title: Novel Manufacturing Approaches to Next Generation Batteries
Principal Investigator: Huang, Dr C
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
AGM Batteries Ltd GS Yuasa Battery (UK) Johnson Matthey
M-Solv Ltd Nexeon Ltd Oxis Energy Ltd
UCL University of Warwick
Department: Engineering
Organisation: Kings College London
Scheme: EPSRC Fellowship - NHFP
Starts: 01 January 2020 Ends: 31 March 2022 Value (£): 328,779
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Energy Storage
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Energy Transport Systems and Vehicles
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Electrical energy storage can contribute to meeting the UK's binding greenhouse emission targets by enabling low carbon transport through electric vehicles (EVs) in the expanding electric automotive industry. However, challenges persist in terms of performance, safety, durability and costs of the energy storage devices such as lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Although there has been research in developing new chemistry and advanced materials that has significantly improved electrical energy storage performance, the structure of the electrodes and LIBs and their manufacturing methods have not been changed since the 1980s. The current manufacturing methods do not allow control over the structures at the electrode and device levels, which leads to restricted ion transport during cycling.

The approach of this research is to develop a complete materials-manufacture-characterisation chain for LIBs, solid-state LIBs (SSLIBs) and next generation of batteries. Novel structures at the electrode and device levels will be designed to promote fast directional ion transport, increase energy and power densities, improve safety and cycling performance and reduce costs. New, scalable manufacturing techniques will be developed to realise making the designed structures and reduce interfacial resistance in SSLIBs. Finally, state-of-the-art physical and chemical characterisation techniques including a suite of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray computed tomography (XCT) and electrochemical testing will be used to understand the underlining charge storage mechanism, interfacial phenomena and how electrochemical performance is influenced by structural changes of the energy storage devices. The results will subsequently be used to guide iterations of the structure design.

The fabricated batteries will be packaged into pouch cells and rigorously tested by EV protocols through close collaborations with industry to ensure flexible adaptability to the current industry match to create near-term high impact in industry. The commercialisation strategy is to license developed intellectual property (IP) to material and battery manufacturers.

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