Innovative Carbons for Electrodes in Batteries (ICE-Batt)

"ICE-Batt aims to tackle key challenges on the Automotive Council Electrical Energy Storage Roadmap. For example, optimising existing Li-ion cathode materials; exploring replacements for currently used solvents with more environmentally desirable alternatives; and preparation of cathode chemistries for new chemistries (e.g. Li-S and Li-air)

The approach that will be undertaken is as follows:

* Develop a specification for the requirement of battery
* Development of nanomaterials (Graphene/CNTs or hybrids) and composite materials that can be formulated to develop the electrode
* Formulation and optimisation of the electrode slurry
* Testing the performance of the electrodes from coin-cell testing to, ultimately, single layer pouch cell

The project partners involved, Johnson Matthey (JM), Centre for Process innovation (CPI) and Thomas Swan (TS), bring unique technical skills that, when collaboratively combined, will allow for the accelerated technical development of this project. Outputs from this project will yield, in an optimised battery pack, an EV that will (i) go further, (ii) have a smaller battery, (iii) perform better in low temperatures, (iv) cost less. Further outputs from the project include (i) safeguarding, and generation, of UK jobs, (ii) give UK industry a technical advantage in lithium-ion sector, and (iii) enable access to global markets for UK based SMEs."