Development of new generation lithium-ion batteries within the NEXTCELL project

The growing demands for cost-effectiveness, electric vehicle user-friendliness, and safety are driving the need for innovative advancements in Li-ion battery (LIB) material and cell design. The NEXTCELL project aims to address these challenges by introducing a new generation of LIB cells capable of high capacity and high voltage applications through the development and validation of a novel jellified cell concept. The project methodology focuses on prototyping, modeling, and evaluating technical, safety, sustainability, and cost enhancements. The project involves collaboration among various partners specializing in different aspects related to battery production, characterization, and improvement. From industry leaders like FEV, SYENSQO, CRF (research center for the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group), and ABEE (Avesta Battery & Energy Engineering), to research institutions like CIC ENERGIGUNE (Centro de Investigacion Cooperativa de Energias Alternativas Fundacion), POLITO (Politecnico di Torino), CEA (Commissariat A L’Energie Atomique et Aux Energies Alternatives), INEGI (Instituto De Ciencia e Inovacao em Engenharia Mecanica e Engenharia Industrial), and SIE (Sustainable Innovations Europe SL), each partner contributes expertise to different stages of the project. Overall, NEXTCELL is committed to achieving fast and successful commercialization of the novel cell design, focusing on developing jellified cell materials and components to meet specific goals such as: • Developing gel separators and electrolytes capable of operating up to 5 V vs Li+/Li, exhibiting an ionic conductivity comparable to that of a traditional porous separator soaked in a liquid electrolyte (> 1 mS/cm at RT). • Designing gel composite LNMO (LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4) cathodes, that allow the operation at voltages up to 5 V vs Li+/Li and whose manufacturing process should not involve solvent usage. • Creating gel silicon-carbon composite anodes with an initial reversible capacity of 90%, akin to graphite, but with a capacity of 1000 mAh/g. • Implementing conductive carbon materials, particularly carbon nanotubes, known for their superior efficiency compared to traditional carbon conductors, to facilitate electrodes with enhanced electronic conductivity.