Back to search

TEKNOKONVERGENS-Teknologikonvergens - grensesprengende forskning og radikal innovasjon

Aluminum Carbon Battery as Next Generation Battery

Alternative title: Aluminum-karbon batteri som neste generasjons batteriteknologi

Awarded: NOK 12.6 mill.

Rechargeable batteries will be one of the key components in the future energy system based on a high share of renewable energy. While introduction of batteries in passenger vehicles has been a success, the introduction of rechargeable batteries in small- and medium stationary energy systems based on renewable energy is expected in the near future. The dominating technology is the Li-ion batteries, which have reached economy of scale, and thus experienced an exponential cost reduction. However, battery technology is a material-intensive technology, and for the currently dominating Li-ion batteries, materials are responsible for a high share of the costs (ca 50%), and fabrication of materials is associated with a significant environmental footprint, as well as ethical issues. Current technology is based on materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper, which all have issues related to abundance, energy consumption, and ethical issues (cobalt). Furthermore, there is a lack of proven processes for recycling Li-ion batteries, partly related to the specific mixture and complexity of materials. In view of the predicted exponential growth of the global battery industry, the key to success is the presence along the entire value chain, in particular securing the supply of raw materials. The research proposed within the ALCBATT proposal aims to demonstrate a nearly unexplored battery concept based on abundant, low cost, and recyclable materials, namely aluminum and carbon, with aluminium as the anode, and various carbon materials as the cathode. The research is thus perfectly aligned towards the societal challenges related to the climate crisis and reduction of fossil fuels, as well as the shift towards a circular economy. Key to the successful development of aluminum carbon batteries is identifying appropriate electrolytes, and within the project, effort will be put on combining theoretical and experimental studies of solvation of salts in various solvents.

In view of the predicted exponential growth of the global battery industry, the key to success is the presence along the entire value chain, in particular securing the supply of raw materials. The research proposed within the ALCBATT proposal aims to demonstrate a nearly unexplored battery concept based on abundant, low cost, and recyclable materials, namely aluminum and carbon. The goal is further to demonstrate the improved performance of this battery on the laboratory scale. The research is thus perfectly aligned towards the societal challenges related to the climate crisis and reduction of fossil fuels, as well as the shift towards a circular economy. Key to the successful development of aluminum carbon batteries is identifying appropriate electrolytes, with an optimized solvation structure of the salt in a non-aqueous electrolyte. To identify electrolytes, a combination of fundamental modelling studies, utilizing machine learning algorithms, and advanced characterization and testing in small-scale batteries will be used. Furthermore, the studies of the charge and discharge reactions at the electrodes, particularly the aluminum anode, will be aided by the fabrication of controlled surface and grain boundary structures to gain the necessary knowledge on the quality of the materials. For all the components, Al anode, electrolyte, and carbon cathode, research will be aided by advanced characterization techniques, like XPS, TEM, and in-operando synchrotron techniques. Thus, the development will rely on enabling technologies like ICT and nanotechnology.

Funding scheme:

TEKNOKONVERGENS-Teknologikonvergens - grensesprengende forskning og radikal innovasjon

Funding Sources