Ångström Advanced Battery Centre

Background

Batteries are currently transforming the energy system. They are key for electromobility of all kinds of vehicles, while they can store renewable energy from wind and solar power. High-performance rechargeable batteries, not least Li-ion batteries, are complex devices consisting of a broad range of materials and components which areatinterplay with each other. Understanding the molecular-level interactions, how they contribute to stabilizing or ageing batteries, and developing new materials for improved performance and sustainability are essential for the advancementof batteries. This is our research: stretching from synthesis of novel electrode and electrolyte materials, new battery concepts, new cell chemistries, development of novel characterization, diagnostics and modelling techniques of batteries,tobetter understand battery behavior in a number of applications and devices –from electric flights and load-levelling in grids, to medical microrobotsand microelectronics.

Aims

Our aim is to contribute to a more sustainable energy system through the development of better performing and more sustainable batteries –in terms of environmental impact, social responsibility and financial cost. To solve the key issues in the field, we work interdisciplinary and combine science with technology, and we thereby strive to build a local environment encompassinga multitude of expertise. Inthisenvironment, we train researchers that can solve the future challenges for the batteries of the future, in academia and in industry.

Approaches

Collaboration is of fundamental importance to advance in this area. We are therefore building and coordinating large research centersat both international and national level: BATTERY 2030+, Batteries Sweden and theSwedish Electromobility Center.Within these, we explore newroutes for improved energy storage: next-generation batteries such as solid-state lithium batteries, sodium-ion batteries, self-healing materials, organic electrode materials, electrodes based on sulfur or oxygen, etc. Much of the scientific questions at hand need large-scale infrastructureto be resolved –synchrotrons, neutron sources, supercomputers.

Keywords

Energy storage; electric vehicle; battery; materials chemistry; electrochemistry; surface science; characterization techniques; lithium-ion; sodium-ion; solid-state battery;

Project leaders

Prof. Kristina Edström and Prof. Daniel Brandell, Department of Chemistry –Ångström Laboratory, Structural Chemistry

Other project members

• Prof. Leif Nyholm, Department of Chemistry –Ångström Laboratory, Inorganic Chemistry
• Assoc. Prof. Maria Hahlin, Department of Chemistry –Ångström Laboratory, Structural Chemistry
• Assoc. Prof. Reza Younesi, Department of Chemistry –Ångström Laboratory, Structural Chemistry
• Assoc. Prof. Fredrik Björefors, Department of Chemistry –Ångström Laboratory, Structural Chemistry
• Assoc. Prof. Peter Broqvist, Department of Chemistry –Ångström Laboratory, Structural Chemistry
• Assist. Prof. William Brant, Department of Chemistry –Ångström Laboratory, Structural Chemistry
• Assist. Prof. Erik Berg, Department of Chemistry –Ångström Laboratory, Structural Chemistry
• Assist. Prof. Chao Zhang, Department of Chemistry –Ångström Laboratory, Structural Chemistry
• Docent Jonas Mindemark, Department of Chemistry –Ångström Laboratory, Structural Chemistry
• Docent Jie-Fang Zhu, Department of Chemistry –Ångström Laboratory, Structural Chemistry
• Docent Mario Valvo, Department of Chemistry –Ångström Laboratory, Structural Chemistry

Links and references

Link to the The Ångström Advanced Battery Centre webpage

Link to Battery 2030+ webpage

Link to Base Batteries Swedens webpage

Other funding agencies

The STandUP finance is essential for us to build this research environment. Additionally, our research is funded by the European Research Council, the European Union, the Swedish Research Council, KAW foundation, Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, the Swedish Energy Agency, and several others.