Styrians improve electric car batteries

Styrians improve electric car batteries

Virtual Vehicle Research GmbH, Materials Center Leoben Research GmbH (MCL), Varta Innovation GmbH and AVL List GmbH – this constellation results in a pooling of competencies in the field of battery research and development that is unique in Austria. The ambitious project goal is to increase the energy density of lithium-ion cells by 20 to 30 percent for 1,000 charges. This should be achieved through new “hollow core-shell silicon carbon (HCS Si-C) composite anodes”. This next generation of lithium-ion batteries is expected to achieve a 30 percent increased energy density with the same charging stability compared to existing technologies. The FGG funding for the project as part of the 17th “Mobility of the Future” call for proposals has a total volume of 2.7 million euros and a duration of 36 months.

The “OpMoSi” project aims to produce improved lithium-ion batteries with Si anodes that are more cost-effective and at the same time more resource-efficient. The comments of the partners involved in the project: “OpMoSi is a Styrian showcase project in which the technology for lithium-ion batteries is taken to the next level,” says Virtual Vehicle Managing Director Jost Bernasch. Roland Brunner, group leader at MCL, adds: "Our expertise in the field of materials research is extremely valuable for the project in relation to the structure-property relationship of the anode. To do this, we use the most modern high-resolution imaging methods and AI-based image analysis models in order to best understand the structure of the anode." Christoph Stangl, Project Manager at Varta Innovation: "We have a high level of expertise in the production of electrodes and battery cells as well as a fundamental understanding of the materials used and the cell design. This means that electrodes and cells can be produced with high quality within the consortium." And Roland Wanker, Head of the Advanced Simulation Technologies division at AVL List: "As a key player in the automotive supply industry, we bring automotive expertise to the consortium. AVL not only has many years of expertise in the design and layout of battery modules and battery packs, but is also a leader in the area of ​​scalable multiphysics modeling and simulation of batteries at the cell and system level."