FutureCat plugs into next generation of lithium-ion batteries

The FutureCat project was awarded £11m by the Faraday Institution on September 4, 2019 over an initial four years from October.

The team, to be led by Prof Serena Corr at Sheffield University’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, will include Cambridge, Oxford and Lancaster Universities, UCL, Isis Neutron and Muon Source, NPL, and 11 industry partners.

Faraday funding puts battery research on full-charge

The project will focus on cathode design, to produce cathodes that hold more charge, are better suited to prolonged cycling, and promote ion mobility – a factor that aids greater power density and fast charging.

The project also aims to reduce dependency of cell manufacturers on cathodes containing cobalt, because of its expense and ethical concerns surrounding its mining.

Prof Corr said that with current cathodes, degradation occurs over time, precluding long term stable performance. In high voltage batteries there is a risk of a dangerous reaction between the cathode and electrolytes currently used. “The project will also be looking at additives to increase stability of the electrolyte,” said Prof Corr.