Author name: Cornelius Karow

In collaboration with industry partner SURAGUS, the Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) at RWTH Aachen University is researching real-time slurry measurement in the mixing process as part of the joint project, “MixItUp.” Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the project is scheduled to run for three years. The project aims to develop an in situ measurement method to characterize slurries in battery production. Previous methods of electrical slurry characterization require time-consuming laboratory measurements and do not allow for real-time process control. This project aims to develop an in-line measurement method that can be used during the mixing process. At the heart of this development is an inductive sensor system with FPGA-based real-time signal processing. With the help of a eddy current sensor, the electrical conductivity, homogeneity, and particle distribution will be measured. The sensor system will measure the electrical properties of the suspension contactlessly during mixing. These values are then compared with the process parameters in a database. This enables continuous monitoring, early fault detection, and adaptive process control. After being validated on a test bench, the method will be transferred to a pilot line. By the end of the project, an industry-ready measurement system is expected to be available and demonstrated. Intended applications include mixing electrode pastes for battery cells and functional pastes for fuel cell production. Source:https://www.pem.rwth-aachen.de/cms/pem/der-lehrstuhl/presse-medien/aktuelle-meldungen/~brlnoj/pem-ermoeglicht-echtzeit-messung-fuer-slu/?lidx=1

Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion High-Tech and German chemical company BASF have agreed to a strategic partnership to develop solid-state batteries. The memorandum was signed at Gotion’s headquarters in Hefei. According to the companies, their collaboration will involve joint research and development of high-performance materials for next-generation solid-state batteries. The focus will be on several core materials and technical hurdles involved in commercialization. Gotion did not provide any further details on the specific terms of the agreement. This partnership builds on thirteen years of collaboration between the two companies. Gotion already operates a 0.2 GWh pilot production line for its own “Gemstone” solid-state battery. The yield is reportedly over 90 percent, with an energy density of 300 watt hours per kilogram. Small-scale production and vehicle integration tests are planned for 2027. The company expects to begin mass production in 2030. Source:https://cnevpost.com/2026/02/10/gotion-basf-partner-solid-state-battery-tech/

The German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) has presented a concept for anode materials in sodium-ion batteries designed to increase efficiency and storage capacity.

Japanese company Idemitsu Kosan has begun construction of a large-scale pilot plant for the production of solid electrolytes, scheduled to go into operation in early 2028.