Daimler, ThyssenKrupp System Engineering, IAV, Germany and Fraunhofer IKTS are working together on a project called EMBATT-goes -The FAB project, which aims to develop lithium-ion technology-based bipolar batteries for electric vehicles, which can enable electric vehicles to have a maximum range of 1,000 kilometers. The ultimate goal of the EMBATT-goes-FAB project is to promote the industrialization of bipolar batteries in the first phase of the project's successful completion.
A bipolar battery is similar to a fuel cell and consists of stacked electrodes connected in series, except that the electrodes are bipolar, that is, the active materials of the cathode and anode of the battery are applied to a common electrode carrier.
In addition, the packaging of such battery cells is also different, and individual cells are not packaged side by side, but stacked on top of each other in a large area. Only the completed electrodes have a fixed housing. This type of packaging can remove the housing parts and connection elements, saving the cost and space of the electric vehicle. The most important thing is that it can make room for more active materials, so that the battery can store more energy and make the electric car reach a longer range.
The project will last two years and partners will work together to solve various challenges. For example, the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technology and Systems is responsible for the production of improved bipolar electrodes based on lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide and graphite as storage materials, and ThyssenKrupp Automotive Systems Engineering is responsible for expanding the assembly technology. The company is responsible for the battery monitoring system, and Daimler is responsible for safely simulating bipolar batteries.