To advance the performance, manufacturability and environmental profile of lithium-ion battery cells, a new project has been launched with funding awarded from the ISCF Faraday Battery Challenge.
Synthomer, a supplier of aqueous polymers, have been awarded £760,826 for its Synergy project, which is focused on developing step changes in the performance and environmental friendliness of lithium-ion batteries to meet the needs of electric vehicles (EVs). It combines the raw material, formulation, electrochemical knowledge and cell manufacture capabilities of Synthomer (including Synthomer’s polymer binder and William Blythe active material development teams), CPI and AMTE Power (formerly AGM Batteries).
Project Synergy will lead to manufacturing and performance improvements in the anode system. It will also focus on methods to improve the safety and environmental profile of cathode systems. The combined improvements are expected to reduce the costs of cell manufacture and help to realize the range and power output needed for the next generation of electric vehicles.
Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency and part of UK Research and Innovation, will fund the majority of the £1.1 million project as part of the ISCF Faraday Battery Challenge. The challenge is addressing key targets of automotive battery technology which will allow the UK to realize its commitment to move to full electrification and zero emissions vehicles.
“Despite significant improvements in battery technology, further optimization of raw materials is needed to achieve the targets of the automotive industry,” says Tom Castle, market development manager at Synthomer. “Synthomer is a global supplier of polymer binders that are used commercially in high performance lithium-ion batteries and we are pleased to bring this expertise to the project. Synergy is another example of us collaborating with active material development teams to maximize the combined value of the active and binder to cell manufacturers and ultimately to consumers.”
