GENESIS (Generating Energetic Novel cells and Systems Inspired by Software)

The UK faces losing its automotive industry unless it can establish a thriving lithium ion battery supply chain including volume production for electric vehicles. BritishVolt is currently the only company with the intention to establish in the UK one of the largest lithium ion battery manufacturing plants in Europe. To achieve this, Britishvolt is partnering with Johnson Matthey (JM) who will provide analysis on advanced high energy cathode material investigations, ENTEK who will integrate novel separator technology manufactured in the UK, Imperial College London (Imperial) who will use their latest models to help with cell design, and an experienced subcontractor who will provide technical requirements and use-case specifications as the end user. The GENESIS project will be the beginning of a new generation cells for BEVs which will be capable of delivering both high energy density and fast charging. Thermal management will be made easier, by minimising heat generation and maximising heat rejection to reduce the system level mass and volume.

The project will develop the modelling tools which aid the design and demonstration of a new generation of highly optimised large format li-ion pouch cells. Cells which are highly optimised to deliver both high energy density and sustain fast charging. Cells will be designed to optimise heat rejection to reduce the system level mass, volume and minimise the thermal management system and increase the predictability of degradation.

The consortium will integrate both advanced high energy cathode materials and novel separator technology into a bespoke cell designed using innovative modelling techniques in order to maximise performance. Prototype cells will be fabricated to refine and validate the modelling techniques, be of production design intent and provide an accelerated route to commercialisation.