Sustainable and integrable energy storages by additive manufacturing

Electrification is playing an important role while emissions caused by transportation are going to be reduced to cope with global environmental challenges. Production of electric vehicle based on current technology causes more emissions that equivalent conventional combustion engine vehicle. Major reason for this is caused on by the battery production. In addition, some essential battery chemicals are not socioeconomically sustainable.

From the Finnish national perspective, another challenge is that industrial battery cell production is basically missing. Due to that, the lack of technological capability relevant to electrification of transportation is decreasing self-sufficiency and we lose remarkable business potential by exporting battery chemicals and importing battery cells. There are notable natural resources and inorganic chemistry related industry (Kokkola Industry Park) in the Northern Finland. In addition, Oulu has unique additive manufacturing and printing based production industrial cluster which provides excellent basis for smart specialization which enables more sustainable battery cell production.

The aim of this project is to gain the next generation battery technology development and expertise to support the industrialization by better material and process capability enabling the production of more environmentally and socioeconomically sustainable Li-ion battery cell production.

The main objectives of the project are focused on following tasks: 1) Development of new, industrially scalable battery chemicals which enables Cobalt free Li-ion battery cell production 2) Explore and test more sustainable solvents and binders, 3) Increase the integration degree of cells by utilizing additive manufacturing and 3D multimaterial printing and 4) Expand and strengthen the cooperation in local battery technology cluster.

As a result of the project, new knowledge and capability about material and production technologies, deepening the regional competence and creating basis for establishment of industrial battery cell production to the area. Developed Cobalt free battery chemistry is socioeconomically more sustainable and used solvents and binders causes less environmental load without increasing the costs. In addition, increased integration degree and utilization of additive and printing based fabrication methods improves the battery cell energy capacity and decreases environmental load.