The NanoTRAACE is a M-era.Net project running from January 2022 until June 2025. NanoTRAACE brings together scientists from different partners in Europe, neighbouring countries and international partner countries. The coordinator of the action is Dr. Karine MOUGIN. The Steering committee is composed by the  representants of the academic european institutions.

Why NanoTRAACES ?

Lithium-ion batteries are present in many applications today, from cell phones and laptops to cordless power tools and electric vehicles. Though they are the most widely applied technology for mobile energy storage, there is yet debate among researchers about how to prolong their life, in particular how to minimize their exposure to the conditions that accelerate degradation. There is an obvious positive environmental impact on applying such strategy, as battery production is a source of greenhouse gas emissions and many other pollutants.

The performance of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) strongly depends on the electrode properties. Avoiding its degradation can provide significant improvements on cycling stability, cost, energy density. Currently capacity is the leading health indicator, though defects such as leakages and internal changes in the electrolyte represent the beginning of the end of the battery. Monitoring the leakage of a trace amount of electrolyte with high sensitivity is also of great significance to improve the safety of Lithium-ion batteries and the associated powered electric devices.

What are the NanoTRAACES objectives ?

The aim of NanoTRAACES is to focus on the development of a new combined electronic microchip, which can be integrated into the LIBs, allowing to detect the beginnings of dysfunction of the batteries due to leaks of electrolytes, which can cause damage and induce additional safety issues. The sensor will be able to signal the leakage while the voltage of the battery is kept at almost the same level. The excellent performance of our technology makes the sensors good candidates for safety assurance and can provide a convincing demonstration of new types of chemical sensors in batteries.

NanoTRAACE INNOVATION

Our approach is to develop a microchip sensor combining the features of high stability, fast response speed, excellent reversibility, and high sensitivity to trace amounts of LIB leakage for online chemical monitoring. The sensor should be able to signal a leak while the voltage of the leaking battery has been kept at almost the same level as a regular use voltage. The sensor is also adapted for large scale manufacturing and has the compromise of highly relevant information and low costs. Such a kind of sensor does not exist up to now in battery domain.

NanoTRAACES impact

The project focusing on the development of a new concept of sensor based on the real-time liquid leakage detection with high sensitivity is in line with the objectives of M-era.Net call (the development of advanced functional materials for sensing and actuation, next generation materials for batteries, long-life operation, recyclability), where delivering lasting impact and significant breakthroughs in the field, developing long-term cooperation between funding organizations across EU and other non-European countries and facilitating access to previously inaccessible new markets are expected. Furthermore, EU partners involved in the project have previously worked together on a joint project (IS2M with KTU in a PHC Gilibert 2020, CNES and IS2M have 2 R&T projects 2015-2023, CNES and SAFT, GIST and UNS Energy). The coordinated actions between the partners will support the exploitation of knowledge along the innovation chain from the technology concept formulated to the initial stage of development of a demonstrator (TRL2-5). It will strengthen innovation excellence of the European academia and research institutes, that is of great importance for all the EU and non-EU countries.

How is NanoTRAACES structured ?

NanoTRAACES  is composed of Six Working Packages (WPs) :

• WP0 : Project Management
• WP1 : Leakage gas sensor
• WP2 : Sensor of Acidity
• WP3 : Integration of the sensors in the battery
• WP4 : Aging and Performances in the battery

WP5:Scientific dissemination and Industrial valorisation

5 academic partners and two industrial ones

IS2M- CNRS : Strongly involved in building a knowledge-based society, the CNRS is a major player in the European research area. Opening up to Europe is a priority for the CNRS, which is reflected in its participation in European calls for projects. In addition, one of the objectives of the CNRS is to encourage researchers to coordinate European projects. In such a context, IS2M, which has a multidisciplinary character, represents one of the structuring forces in the field of Materials and their applications in the academic and industrial world, both at the regional and national level. The IS2M, part of the Carnot Institute network, is a member of the MICA Carnot Institute (Materials Institute Carnot Alsace), of the ‘Materials and Nanoscience of the ‘Grand-Est Research Federation’ (FR 3627) and the ‘Store-Ex’, National Laboratory of Excellence in the field of electrochemical energy storage. In addition, CNRS is also involved in the large-scale “Battery 2030+”research initiative that brings together European experts in the field, as well as industry, to take a leap forward towards a battery of the future suitable for the connected world of tomorrow. Besides, since 2011, IS2M is a founder member of the RS2E network gathering all French partners onto his topic (academic/industrial, technological transfer center) which underlines the interest and the importance of « NanoTRAACES » for our institution. This network has been recently awarding for the quality and efficiency of its actions promoting and favoring several technology transfers from academic to industrial companies. IS2M, being part of this project, will strengthen its European networkings but also its expertise in the scientific field of sensors and batteries.

CNES : The Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) is the government agency responsible for shaping and implementing French Space policy in Europe. Being at the crossroads of Research and Industry, its task is to invent the Space systems of the future, bring Space technologies to maturity and guarantee France’s independent access to Space. As a pioneer in five areas (Ariane, Sciences, Observation, Telecommunications and defence), CNES plays a crucial role in Europe’s Space programme, and is a major source of initiatives and proposals that aim to maintain France and Europe’s competitive edge. It conceives and executes Space programs with its partners in the scientific community and industry, and is involved in many international cooperation programmes. In the frame of energy sources on-board satellites, CNES has been involved since a long time in several technical fields such as power generation, storage, conversion and distribution of electric energy and is used to following the development of new products lines in close collaboration with SAFT company. This project will be in line with the need to improve the reliability of space components.

 

KTU : For the Lithuanian partners, the proposal will ensure more efficient use of funds and resources intended for the development of the research, experimental development (R&D) and innovation system in Lithuania, contributing to the implementation of the Smart Specialization Strategy. “New production processes, materials and technologies” was selected as one of six priorities in the Lithuanian SMART Specialization Strategy (S3) that was approved by the Lithuanian government in April 2014. It was selected as a priority to respond to the lack of collaboration between business and science as well as the creation and adaptation of knowledge, technologies and innovation, low productivity of businesses, lack of advanced technologies, innovative processes, products and services, the need to increase productivity and business process efficiency by reducing costs. Lithuanian researchers are internationally recognized in the photonics markets, and business has a high added value. It is recognized that the interaction between science and business is intensive and stimulating for development, which sees great potential for the creation of new companies, opportunities for the development of a new generation of industries based on laser technologies and an increase in the potential for more integrated solutions. The project aiming at developing ultrasensitive sensors will directly support the S3 priority “New production processes, materials and technologies”. Specifically, the project’s research sub-topics map very well to the sub-priorities 1 and 2 (Photonic and laser technologies, Functional materials and coatings).

 

LIST : For the Luxembourg partners (www.list.lu) the research is aligned with our current activities using electrogenerated acid for the control of chemistry, for example for the synthesis of biopolymers, which si done in organic liquids using electrochemical generation of acidity. The proposal for the Luxembourgish partners is also well aligned with the national research priorities to which LIST is bound. In particular to the Industrial transformation of the economy, creating new business opportunities operating in the green sector, and with the sustainable and responsible development, as safe batteries are key to allow the optimization of energy use arriving from renewable sources. The participant belongs to the Materials Research Technology department in the institute, and in particular to the Nano-Material Unit, which is composed of a team of engineers, researchers and technologists that combine their expertise to translate the enabling capabilities of nanotechnology/nanomaterials into application-driven solutions. Such is the case of the current proposal. https://www.fnr.lu/national-research-priorities-forluxembourgapproved/?hilite=%27strategy%27

 

GIST : For the Korean partners, GIST (www.gist.ac.kr) is the advanced science and technology oriented university. Especially graduate school and supporting technology development centers are collaborating each other, and make synergistic researches. RISE (Research Institute for Solar and sustainable Energies, https://rise.gist.ac.kr/enuser) is one of those research institutes in GIST and has 14 more professors. The main activities of the RISE are to contribute to the realization of the global environment and future energy society through industry-university cooperation. The project participants are professors, graduate students and researchers, who had received the research funding supports from GIST and Government fund.  Four Research Centers which are Center for Chemical Energy Storage System, Center for Flexible Solar Cells, Plastic Electronics Solar Cell, Smart Grid Research Center, are operating based on the project base. Especially, Center for Chemical Energy Storage System are focusing the development of the innovative energy material for battery and hybrid solar battery, which is the integrated device for portable and smart self-charging device. Also silicon anode and innovative electrode design with Laser ablation items are being developed.

 

Saft : Saft will contribute as associated partner. For nearly 100 years, the company Saft has provided customers with ever-longer life batteries for back-up power and propulsion in their critical applications. As a leading battery company, Saft’s innovative, safe, and reliable technology delivers high performance on land, at sea, in the air, and in space. Saft is a wholly owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies, a broad energy company that produces and markets energies on a global scale : oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Saft is not an ordinary battery manufacturer. Their batteries are the industry benchmark, both in terms of research, manufacturing and sales. Saft also makes the most powerful lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells and batteries, able to operate in unregulated outdoor conditions at extreme temperatures, hot or cold. They can function equally well as a battery for renewables, a marine battery, a satellite battery, a racing battery and much more. High-energy Li-ion batteries also play a growing role in renewable energy applications that need discharge times of more than two hours. Housed in an energy storage system (ESS), these utility-scale batteries enhance grid flexibility, reduce infrastructure investment, and optimize power flows. Looking ahead, Saft is a battery company that recognizes the demand for a step change in battery performance. This company will help integrating the developed sensors into their batteries and testing the overwhole system. https://www.eranet-smartenergysystems.eu/About/Associated_Partners

 

U&S Energy : U&S Energy will contribute as an associated partner to the project. This SME is making Unique and Safe Lithium Batteries and its materials and equipment.  UNS Energy is dedicated to enabling portable electric power without the risk of fires and explosions, no matter the circumstances. Their material architecture improves the spark on the inside of a battery that can cause fires. They will allow integrating and testing the sensors by providing different kind of batteries to optimize the device.

9th September 2022 : Kick off meeting

30th September : LIST Seminar : Ion Sensitive Field Effect Transistors (ISFETs)

4th : November 2022 : GIST Seminar : EV Battery Industry and Li ion battery Technology

9th November 2022 : 2nd on-line Meeting

19th January 2023 : SAFT Semininar : Space Batteries Applications

3rd February 2023 : 3rd on-line Meeting

8th March 2023 : Meeting- WP2 : IS2M-KTU

Kick off meeting

3rd on–line Meeting February, 3rd 2023

Miscellaneous