We develop high torque, high sheer and continuous mixing techniques. A unique feature of our Energy Innovation Centre is the continuity between small and large scale mixing. This capability allows for seamless transition from small to large batch size, as identical mixing technologies are used at both scales.
Once mixed, the anode and cathode slurry is moved to our reel-to-reel coater and three zone dryer. The equipment enables hundreds of metres of commercially relevant electrode materials to be fabricated in a matter of hours.
Thickness/evenness of coating can affect the way a battery performs.
Reels of coated material (single or double sided) can be calendared and slit as required.
Cell Stacking, Tab Welding, Packaging, Electrolyte Filling
Electrodes are automatically assembled into large, high capacity stack cells, filled with electrolytes, vacuum sealed, tabbed, formed in high precision formation units (192 channels), degassed and resealed.
We investigate how battery performance degrades over a range of different usage cases. Understanding how and why cells age is critical to achieving the safe and reliable operation of a battery pack over its intended lifespan.
Consideration of the battery value chain and identification of key breakpoints, such as when it is economical to service, test, recover, remanufacture and redeploy the battery, is key in ensuring remanufacturing is implemented in a sustainable way.
Battery Scale-Up
|
The climate-controlled facilities allows our technologists to manufacture both pouch cells and cylindrical cells. After fabrication, the prototype cells are evaluated for performance, battery life and safety in WMG’s comprehensive battery testing facilities. The post-test facilities also help researchers understand the changes that occur in materials as a battery ages from use or testing. The adoption of electric and hybrid propulsion systems is currently being held back by the energy storage capacity of present day commercially available lithium technology batteries. A five-fold increase in energy density is required to enable battery powered vehicles to achieve the range that conventional internal combustion engine cars offer with a tank of fuel. |
 |
|
WMG’s Energy Innovation Centre is focussed on identifying and demonstrating battery chemistries with higher energy densities and improved safety while achieving the cost criteria set by the automotive industry. This technology is transferable to other sectors including, aerospace, marine, rail and static energy storage for home applications. |
 |
Industrial collaborators come to us for our ability to evaluate novel battery chemistries in a more affordable and timely manner. Our unique facility is capable of producing full-size prototype battery cells in sufficient quantities for industrial testing.
