Batteries are undoubtedly an essential factor both for the envisaged energy transition and for the mobility of the future. Thus, scientists at the the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS have developed an innovative process for the cost-efficient production of thin lithium anodes made of molten lithium. In a joint project, the Dresden Institute is working with the companies hpulcas and SGS, as well as with scientists at Justus Liebig University in Giessen, to solve important challenges relating to this concept.
Lithium-metal anodes are regarded as key elements for battery systems of the future. They enable maximum energy density in terms of both cell volume and mass. The lithium-metal anode is already being used in lithium-sulphur cells to achieve record specific energy values of more than 400 Wh/kg. By comparison, the best lithium-ion battery cells currently only achieve 250 Wh/kg. In addition, solid-state batteries could exceed the volumetric energy density of today’s lithium-ion batteries by more than 70% using the lithium-metal anode.
Ilika plc (LON:IKA) is a pioneer in materials innovation and has been inventing new materials for energy and electronics applications for over a decade. Global brands such as Rolls Royce and Toyota have long term collaborations with Ilika’s development teams.
