BatteryNL – Next Generation Batteries based on Understanding Materials Interfaces

Problem: The urgency posed by global warming to transform our fossil fuel-dependent society into one based on renewable energy sources creates grand technological challenges. One of these is energy storage, for mobility applications and for accommodating intermittent renewable sources. Batteries are widely seen as promising key technology for transport, and for future medium-scale stationary storage. However, this requires a huge leap in battery performance regarding battery weight, charging time, lifetime and safety.

Our solution: This research program targets next generation battery chemistries that can fulfil these requirements and addresses the main hurdle for their implementation: parasitic interface reactions that presently cause underperformance, degradation and safety issues. insight into and control over these reactions at the interface between electrolyte and electrode is a great challenge, due to the inherent heterogeneity of real battery systems, and the advanced characterization techniques that are required.

Our approach: We target the design and engineering of model interface systems with state-of-the art (in-situ/operando) analytical tools. This approach will improve understanding of the charge transfer, chemical and physical processes at the electrode-electrolyte interfaces. This will be used to achieve full control over these interface processes, using rational interface material strategies, followed by translation of these strategies into scalable fabrication methods. In parallel, the societal, technological and economic aspects of these strategies will be evaluated, to enable large scale integration of batteries in our society.

Our consortium & societal impact: The consortium comprises a multidisciplinary team of Dutch researchers from academia, Universities of Applied Sciences, TNO, companies (SMEs and large multinationals) and societal organizations combining complementary expertise, comprehensively covering the value chain and disciplines in battery science and technology. Bringing these competences together to form a strong battery research network is a unique opportunity to gain momentum towards the development of next-generation battery technology in the Netherlands.