At the MEET Battery Research Center at the University of Münster, the “REFlexBatt 2.0” research project has been launched. Its goal is to establish a modular pilot line for the automated production of battery cells. The three-year project is funded by the EU and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia with approximately five million euros. Participating as an industry partner is the German company Safion GmbH.
The planned facility is designed to produce different cell chemistries and designs in the initial development phases. The facility aims to support the increasing diversification of battery materials, such as systems based on sodium or potassium. These materials present new and unique demands on production processes.
Focus on flexible processes and traceability
At the heart of the project is a pilot line with interchangeable contact components. This allows process steps to be quickly adapted when switching technologies. The modular concept is also intended to prevent cross-contamination. The research center expects to achieve shorter innovation cycles and a faster transition of new cell technologies into practical applications. Thus, the individual process steps could be scaled up to industrial levels more quickly.
In parallel, a track-and-trace system is being established. Each electrode receives a unique identifier that accompanies it throughout the entire production process. This includes manufacturing, cell assembly, and performance testing. Combined with process data and analytics, this system aims to determine the influence of individual parameters more precisely.
Source:
https://www.uni-muenster.de/MEET/en/presse/news/Start_Project_Reflexbatt.shtml
