LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES AND FUEL CELLS - RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The project involves the development of methods of synthesis and testing of anode and cathode materials, of submicron to nanometer dispersion, the preparation and investigation of behavior of electrolytes, the preparation and testing of current collectors, as well as the formation of complete prototypes of Li-ion batteries and their testing under working regime from the viewpoint of coulombic capacity, power and cycling life. The influence of the mass fraction of conductive additiv and polymeric binder in electrode materials on the capacity and cyclic life of the battery will be checked. The physical characterisation of electrode materials involves: the granulation (TEM, SEM), electrical conductivity, Hall effect, photoacoustic absorption, structure (X-ray diffraction), Raman and IR spectroscopies. By computer modelling and by experimental measurements, the designn of prototypes of powerfull Li-ion batteries, for dual 42/14 V electric automotive systems , from the viewpoint of optimal thermal ballance, reliability and safety. Simultaneously, the methods for the testing of safety of use under extreme working regimes will be developed. The goal is the study of a production line for mass production of Li-ion batteries. In order to be in actual trends in the field of fuel cells, the electrode materials, membranes and electrolytes of fuel cells, the isotope effects and the possibility of use them in hybrid systems with Li-ion batteries will be considered.