Hybrid metrology for sustainable and low-carbon footprint battery materials

 Batteries are playing an increasingly important role in the European Green Deal’s net-zero ambitions. However, many high-capacity storage technologies, like lithium-ion batteries, are produced using energy-intensive, environmentally unfriendly processes and rely on elements with low earth abundance. As demand increases, a global shortage of these raw materials is expected. End-of-life recycling is possible but the impact of recovery, refining and processing on materials’ purity and the nature of potential contaminants remain unknown. Novel battery chemistries using more abundant materials are emerging, but existing metrology still does not address aspects like the materials’ thermal properties and needs to be extended to next-generation batteries. In particular, new instrumentation and operando techniques to characterise batteries under dynamic conditions are needed.

This project will address these needs by developing new methods and procedures for characterising and recycling batteries. A hybrid approach for measuring the chemical, structural and thermal properties of battery materials will be developed and extended to encompass emerging battery chemistries. Traceable analysis and sampling methods will be created to quantify contaminants in battery materials, which will also be investigated to understand their impacts on cell performance. Traceable methodologies and new instrumentation will enable hybrid and operando characterisation of battery materials, which will in turn be used to develop and enhance modelling and computational tools.

The project’s work will support the development of lower carbon footprint battery technologies and reduce reliance on rare materials. This will support the net-zero ambitions of the European Green Deal and improve the resilience of Europe’s battery industry.