4. Shift towards a deeper understanding of chemical processes
Finally, the experts at TNO’s Battery Lab are seeing a fundamental shift in how batteries are tested. ‘The industry no longer wants to simply look at how a battery behaves, but also understand why it behaves that way, what is happening chemically inside the battery,’ says Erik.
‘The problem with traditional testing is that you have to test every new battery from scratch. That takes a lot of time,’ Erik explains. ‘If you understand what happens at component level, you can make predictions much faster.’ This can be done using physical models that describe the electrochemical process. Instead of merely observing from the outside, the focus is on what is really happening to the electrodes and other components inside the battery.
TNO is therefore investing in equipment to dismantle batteries and analyse the individual parts. Erik: ‘By understanding how electrodes and other components react, we can create models that deliver reliable lifetime predictions much more quickly.’
Responding to market needs
Gas analysis, higher voltages, prototyping, component analysis – four different developments with one thing in common: they show how important it is to keep pace with a rapidly changing industry. From new safety requirements to unexpected areas of application.
‘We try to stay as close as possible to the research questions that arise,’ says Jan-Willem. But what those questions will be tomorrow is not always predictable in such a fast-moving industry. That is why TNO also looks to the market itself for direction. ‘Input on market needs is very welcome,’ Erik emphasises. TNO’s Battery Lab is keen to work with (new) partners to explore what is possible and ensure future investments align as closely as possible with market demands.