The LiPLANET Network brings together European lithium battery cell production pilot lines to share competencies and to enhance the European cell manufacturing ecosystem. The Network is led by an Executive Board, assisted by an External Advisory Board. The Network’s members can join and engage in different Expert Groups, which are the main discussion platform for members and selected Experts from industrial and scientific stakeholders.
In April 2021, the LiPLANET Network launched six different Expert Groups. The Groups exchange and discuss scientific findings and presentations in order to accelerate knowledge transfer among relevant stakeholders. “The respective topics cover important aspects from the development of cell chemistries over new approaches in Life Cycle Assessments to the implementation of machine learning tools in the production process”, states Prof. Arno Kwade, First Chairman of the LiPLANET Network. A brief description of the topics of the established Expert Groups is given in the Table at the end of the article.
Each Group’s appointed Chair will coordinate the development of short- and long-term goals, elaborate new topics for the Group, and represent the Expert Group towards the interested public. The Expert Group Chairs will collaborate with the LiPLANET Executive Board to ensure interdisciplinary exchange and to identify areas for joint collaboration between the Groups. “The Expert Groups will bring together Battery Pilot Lines and Experts from complementary disciplines”, says Prof. Alejandro A. Franco, Chair of Expert Group on Digitalisation, Measurement Methods and Quality from the Université de Picardie Jules Verne. He continues: “Transdisciplinarity is the key to strengthen the whole European battery landscape”.
Over the course of the following years, the Expert Groups will collect best practices, collaborate on projects, perform workshops and pull together the scientific community of lithium battery research in Europe. “The Expert Groups will be beneficial for the European firms to become industry leaders in the future Battery landscape”, emphasizes Dr. Rajapandian Rajagopal, Chair of the Expert Group on Cell Design and Recyclability from Avesta Battery & Energy Engineering.
If you are interested in joining an Expert Group or potentially becoming a future member of LiPLANET, feel free to contact info@liplanet.eu.
List of the Expert Groups, their Chairs and an excerpt of their respective topics:
Group 1: Safety in pilot lines operations
Chair: Dr. Alice Hoffmann (ZSW)
- Processing of materials (process steps from material mixing to electrode coating)
- Development of new materials and process technologies
- National- and EU regulations on safety
- Exchange of data and knowledge
Group 2 – Production Technology
Chair: Dr. Ing. Felipe Cerdas (TU Braunschweig)
- Production Technology (laser processes, flexible production processes, optimization, circular production)
- Production quality aspects
- Tracking and optimizing resource and energy efficiency
- Life Cycle Assessment, Life-Cycle Costing
Group 3 – Cell Design and Recyclability
Chair: Mr. Rajapandian Rajagopal (ABEE)
- Cell Design, Cell format, Cell chemistries, Casings
- Design for Recycling strategies/ second life / upcycling
- Safety in Recycling
- Tracking of new legal requirements (e.g. new battery directive)
- End-of-Life strategies for battery cells and circular economy
Group 4 – Education and Training
Chair: Dr. Jan Verveckken (EIT Innoenergy)
- Development of workshops and educational materials
- Training of experts and pilot line operators
- Transdisciplinary teaching programs
Group 5 – Scientific Exchange and IP (Round Robin)
Chair: Roman Korzynietz (VDI/VDE-IT)
- Knowledge and data transfer
- Benchmarking and identification of knowledge gaps
- Standards and protocols
- Technology trends (e.g. Post Lithium cells) and long-term challenges
Group 6 – Digitalisation, Measurement Methods and Quality
Chair: Prof. Dr. Alejandro Franco (Université de Picardie Jules Verne)
- Modelling (physics-based, multiscale & multiphysics, cyberphysical)
- Machine Learning tools (AI, data mining, SOC & SOH prediction, big data)
- Standardization of APIs, data standardization
- Quality controlling (intermediate and end product)
- In-line measurement methods
