Electrochemistry and Batteries

Modern lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous electrochemical energy storage devices. Advancing aspects like capacity, power density, life-time, safety and costs is essential, in particular for the automotive industry. Additionally, the ramping-up of new competitive gigafactories for cell productions requires optimized and well-controlled production processes.

With our Battery and Electrochemistry Simulation Tool BEST we provide the possibility to predict cell properties by performing physics-based computations on virtual copies of real devices. Our multiscale approach allows testing and optimizing designs on microscopic electrode and macroscopic cell scale, including advanced features such as thermal coupling, degradation or virtual electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Beyond the electrochemical cell simulations, we develop simulation models and tools to describe production processes e.g. for electrolyte filling with our software FLUID or electrode drying.
 

Applications

Our Offer

  • Simulation software BEST for electrochemical computation of cell properties
  • Simulation software GRAINFLUID, FOAM for simulation of specific production processes
  • Customized software solutions
  • Simulation services, consulting and parameter identification
  • Model development and customization

Focus Topics

 

Simulation of the Production of Batteries

We simulate battery production processes to make them as efficient as possible without negatively affecting the product properties.

 

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)

EIS is a widely used, non-destructive method for characterizing Li-ion batteries. We simulate them with our BEST software.

 

Simulation of Cell Aging and Degradation

Li-ion batteries are exposed to a variety of degradation processes that lead to cell ageing.

Example Projects

 

BMWK Project »structur.e«

The aim of the project »structur.e« is to enable a shorter charging time and a greater range for electromobility. 

 

Battery Simulation BEST Supports Virtual Development of Novel Battery Cells

Project ABBA-VEEB (Extension of the battery simulation BEST to a design platform for the virtual development and testing of battery cells)

 

New methods in development and production of battery cells

The DEFACTO project aims to revolutionize cell production for electric vehicles in Europe.

 

ProZell Project Cell-Fi

The project Cell-Fi deals with speeding up the electrolyte uptake through optimized filling and wetting processes.

 

Battery Cells with Integrated Sensors

Concept development and testing of cells that are individually equipped with voltage and temperature sensors with the support of BEST.

 

Volume change and Phase Separation in Electrode Materials

In the AiF project ALIB the existing electrochemical simulation models of BEST were expanded.

 

Predict the Life of Lithium-Ion Batteries

The MULTIBAT project focuses on the prediction of battery life.

 

Simulation-Based Design of Fuel Cells

The aim of the research group OPTIGAA is to enable the computer-assisted design of fuel cells.

 

XERIC: Climate control system for electric vehicles

The XERIC project is developing a new climate control system that is more energy-efficient in battery powered electric vehicles.

 

EU-Project ALMA

ALMA’s ambition is to develop a new type of battery-electric vehicle structure for passenger cars. The aim is to reduce the weight of the vehicle structure by up to 45 percent.