Shorter drying time in battery production

Research Shorter drying time in battery production

2024-04-17 From | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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In a research project at RWTH Aachen, it has been possible to significantly reduce the drying time in battery production. The laser technology used also consumes less energy.

Within the framework of the IDEEL research project, project partners from industry and research are developing a laser-based drying process for a more climate-friendly and economical mass production of lithium-ion batteries.(Image: Fraunhofer ILT) — Within the framework of the IDEEL research project, project partners from industry and research are developing a laser-based drying process for a more climate-friendly and economical mass production of lithium-ion batteries.
(Image: Fraunhofer ILT)

According to its own statements, the "Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components" (PEM) chair at RWTH Aachen has succeeded in reducing the drying time for LFP cathodes and graphite anodes of lithium-ion batteries by more than 60 percent. Several partners have developed a new laser procedure for this in the IDEEL research project, which also significantly reduces energy consumption.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) has been able to double the track speed for the coating and drying in a continuous process to five meters per minute as part of the funded project. At the same time, the space required for the manufacturing step has been reduced.

Technically and economically viable

"Laser drying in the production of lithium-ion batteries is technically and economically viable on an industrial scale," PEM director Achim Kampker is convinced.

Work is also being done on the materials used in the project. The partners are currently developing silicon-containing anodes at the MEET Battery Research Center at the University of Münster (Münster Electrochemical Energy Technology) that are intended to enhance the performance of the batteries. In close cooperation with the researchers at the PEM Chair and the Fraunhofer-ILT, the new developments are then to be tested for their compatibility with the laser drying process and adjustments are to be made if necessary.

Surveys by the project partner, the Fraunhofer Research Manufacturing Battery Cell (FFB) facility, among users from industry and research, are also expected to continuously provide new data on the current requirements for drying processes and enable practice-oriented development work.

Background Project IDEEL

Within the framework of the research project "Implementation of Laser Drying Processes for Economical & Ecological Lithium-Ion Battery Production" (IDEEL), project partners from industry and research have been developing a laser-based drying process for a more economical mass production of lithium-ion batteries since October 2021. Among other things, the aim by the planned end of the project in September 2024 is to scale up the drying process to up to 30 meters per minute.

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