Magazine

BATTERY MANUFACTURING USING 2D AND 3D PRINTING PROCESSES | Manufacturing technology for batteries of the future: With the aid of the screen printing process, Fraunhofer IFAM offers alternatives for battery production. New manufacturing concepts allow higher active material loads and greater freedom in electrode design. Completely printed batteries help on the one hand to break free from the limitations of current manufacturing technology and on the other hand to reduce the use of solvents and subsequent drying processes. Fraunhofer IFAM combines battery expertise with profound know-how in additive manufacturing.

DIGITIZATION IN BATTERY RESEARCH | The digitization of empirical research data and the development of digital workflows for automated data processing using models and intelligent algorithms have increasingly become the focus of battery research in recent years. The development and technical implementation of a comprehensive digitization strategy for the efficient and sustainable use of battery data requires the complete digitization of all methods and processes for data generation and processing, as well as systematic management of the data throughout its entire life cycle. The digitization strategy of battery data is addressed at Fraunhofer IFAM in BATTERIEDigital®.

THE THIN-FILM-BATTERY AS A FLEXIBLE, SAFE AND ALTERNATIVE BATTERY TECHNOLOGY | For the power supply of portable devices, the battery will remain indispensable in the future. In the course of technological miniaturization and the simultaneous search for more environmentally friendly solutions, the thin-film battery forms a versatile alternative to the conventional lithium-ion battery.

SAFE AND POWERFUL SOLID-STATE BATTERIES BASED ON POLYMERS AND SULFIDES FOR ELECTRIC CARS, AIR TAXIS, MOBILE ROBOTS AND CO. | Solid-state batteries are an important building block for the electrification of mobility: They are safer and enable higher range and shorter charging times than conventional Li-Ion batteries. New cell concepts allow even higher energy densities. Fraunhofer IFAM is developing polymer and sulfide-based solid-state batteries for various electric mobility application areas. The research is oriented towards industrial battery production and ranges from development of new materials for solid electrolytes and battery components (electrodes and separators) to manufacturing process steps and cell assembly.

PROJECT »TRANSPORTATION IN CHARGE« | In the project "Transportation in Charge", experts from Fraunhofer IFAM are developing concepts for the future planning of charging infrastructure in commercial areas and freight villages. The project aims to gain a better understanding of the demands for public and private charging infrastructure and to identify possible synergy effects through its shared use, thus ensuring the efficient utilization of this cost-intensive infrastructure.

COMMON CHALLENGES FOR ENERGY SUPPLIERS, COMMUNES AND THE HOUSING INDUSTRY | The sustainability goals at federal and state level in Germany require a climate-friendly heat supply. The goal of a climate-neutral building stock by 2045 can only be achieved through an innovative and sustainable heat supply. Therefore, energy suppliers and communes as well as the housing industry must face common challenges and work together in order to master them. Fraunhofer IFAM provides support with strategic planning of the heat supply and takes into account the various possible supply options and their economic efficiency.

EXPANSION OF CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ELECTRIC MOBILITY IN MUNICIPALTIES, COMMUNITIES AND COMPANIES | The charging infrastructure for tomorrow's mobility must be planned today! Energy consumption and emissions in the transport sector have not yet fallen significantly. Decisive action is required now to achieve the climate protection targets of the German government. With the recent significant increase in electro mobility, important steps have already been taken. However, a significant expansion of charging is essential. Fraunhofer IFAM can actively support both - municipalities and companies - that plan and operate charging stations.

In the project “Quarter by Quarter”, experts from Fraunhofer IFAM are focusing on issues relating to the current and future supply of natural gas, which must be transformed to achieve climate neutrality by 2045. By looking at living quarters as a small-scale level, the supply structure in the respective local streets is analyzed and modeled for the future by adding further technical and socio-economic factors.

POWDER TECHNOLOGY AS A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL MANUFACTURING PROCESSES | Scarcity of raw materials and increasing environmental pollution pose major challenges to today's world. This makes the sustainable, resource-saving manufacture of products all the more important. The entire product life cycle must be considered: From design through manufacturing and logistics to recycling. Powder technology offers the best prerequisites here. It allows material and energy consumption to be significantly reduced and raw materials to be easily recycled. Fraunhofer IFAM has been working on various processes of powder technology for many years.

TARGETED IMPROVEMENT OF BIO-BASED ADHESIVES FOR MODERN APPLICATIONS | Bio-based adhesives made from renewable raw materials are becoming increasingly important. This is not only due to the scarcity of petrochemical resources but also the growing desire of industries and consumers for more sustainable alternatives. Bio-based adhesives are by no means a new invention; some of them have been successfully used for thousands of years. They rely on a variety of natural materials such as proteins (e.g., gelatin adhesive), starch, cellulose, or natural rubber. However, to utilize them for a broader range of modern applications, specific properties need to be improved intentionally.