E-MOBILITY
vehicles (allowing them to have more capacity and not tip over into the 7.5 tonne category). Today’s typical lithium-ion
batteries produce around 250 watt hours per kg of mass, compared with what is expected to be 400-600 watt hours per kilogram from lithium- sulfur. At this stage, researchers believe lithium-sulfur may also become a cheaper technology for industry and consumers. UCL’s work is partly focused on
developing new battery cell concepts: a ‘quasi solid state’ cell focusing on employing a diff erent operating mechanism for the chemistry using electrolytes with low sulfur solubility, extending the operating life of the battery. Other development areas across the consortium include developing non-fl ammable electrolytes to improve safety, the removal of lithium nitrate to expand the operating temperature window, and ways of improving power and energy densities by developing new electrodes and employing advanced diagnostic tools for cells. The Cranfi eld team is developing
a sophisticated battery management system: providing accurate information on charge levels, and insights into how operation of the vehicle impacts on battery life. The work will also involve running simulations to model the behaviour of the battery in particular vehicle types.
The availability of lithium-sulfur batteries will off er a lighter option for vehicles Battery management matters
because understanding what is happening inside a lithium-sulfur battery is harder than with lithium- ion. There is just the one stage of electrochemical processes in lithium- ion, but four in lithium-sulfur. The charge is also very ‘fl at’, meaning there are regions of the battery where it is very diff icult to ‘see’ the charge.
The LiSTAR project expects to
deliver workable lithium-sulfur batteries for niche industry use within two years, creating an initial platform for widespread take-up across transport manufacturers.
For more information visit
www.listar.ac.uk
Investing in battery research
The Faraday Institution programme includes six battery research projects designed to lead to commercial products and ventures, such as extending battery life, improving safety, recycling and reuse, and new battery technologies like lithium-sulfur and ‘solid-state’ (using solid electrodes and electrolytes rather than a liquid). Professor Pam Thomas, CEO of the Faraday Institution, says: “The
Faraday Institution is committed to identifying and investing in the most promising and impactful battery research initiatives. This project refocusing is an important part of that process, and allows us to direct even more eff ort towards those areas of research that off er the maximum potential of delivering societal, environmental and commercial impact.” According to Business and
Trade Minister Nusrat Ghani, growing the battery industry is vital to positioning the UK as “the best location in the world to manufacture electric vehicles.” He adds: “This funding will help businesses become more innovative and productive, helping to create more skilled, high-wage jobs across the UK, future- proofi ng our economy and supporting our ambition towards a cleaner, greener future.”
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