Towards new silicon-graphene car batteries

Graphene Flagship Spearhead Project GrEEnBat’s automotive battery uses graphene for a high-quality anode

The GrEEnBat Spearhead Project aims to scale up the fabrica­tion of silicon/graphene composite electrodes for anodes in lithium–ion batteries, and to develop a fully functional battery module for automotive applications.

The key innovation of this device was developed and patented during the previous phases of the Graphene Flagship project. All of the targeted specifications for materials, cells and modules will be able to compete with the predicted state-of-the-art modules in 2025.

GrEEnBat in a nutshell

GrEEnBat’s research and development efforts focus on upscaling the production of high-quality anode materials to the tonne-per-year scale. In 2020, their team surpassed the areal capacity and cyclability of the same electrodes produced in the previous phase of the Graphene Flagship by 40% and 10%, respectively.

The team also worked to optimise their electrode recipe, electrolyte formulation and cell design. Full cell testing helps to narrow down the target specifications for the future construc­tion of prototype cells and demonstration of the module.

Sustainable development

If electricity is generated from sustainable and renewable sources, lithium-ion batteries for automotive applications and electric mobility can greatly contribute to reducing global emissions of greenhouse gases.

About the Spearhead Projects

The Spearhead Projects are initiatives designed to increase the technology readiness level (TRL) of graphene-based technolo­gies. Each Spearhead Project is led by an industry-leading company and has specific commercial goals. They each aim to produce a high-TRL prototype or market-ready product by the end of the current phase of the Graphene Flagship in 2023.

The Graphene Flagship’s commitment to the Spearhead Projects is unshakeable: a total of one third of our funding is invested into these ventures, a bold move to maximise the impact of the Graphene Flagship in the innovation ecosystem and the European economy.