Consortium

Centro Ricerche FIAT (CRF) is an industrial research organisation having the mission to promote, develop and transfer innovation for providing competitiveness to the FCA group. With a full-time workforce of more than 850 highly trained professionals, CRF fulfils this task by focusing on the development of innovative products, implementation of innovative process development of new methodologies and training of human resources. To properly cover a very wide technological spectrum, CRF has developed a global network with national and international institutes, private and public research organisations, and universities and companies, through the promotion of common research activities, associations, conferences and seminars, and researchers’ mobility. The team involved in 3beLiEVe comprises people working in the Group Materials Labs Business Unit, concentrating on the characterization of materials, and in the Vehicle Research Business Unit, focusing on the testing of batteries.

Royal DSM is a purpose-led, global science-based company in Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Living. DSM drives economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. DSM delivers innovative business solutions for human nutrition, animal nutrition, personal care and aroma, medical devices, green products and applications, and new mobility and connectivity. DSM and its associated companies deliver annual net sales of about €10 billion with approximately 23,000 employees. The company is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.
DSM Engineering Materials is a global supplier of high-performance engineering thermoplastic solutions. It has a focused portfolio, with global leadership positions in many of its products in the areas of high-performance plastics such as ForTii® PPA, Stanyl® PA46, Arnite® PBT/PET and Akulon® PA6/PA66 , Arnitel® TPE, Xytron® PPS, EcoPaXX® PA410 . DSM Engineering Materials addresses key markets in automotive and electronics, and provides solutions to specialized industries including water management, breathable textiles and flexible food packaging.

Insplorion is an SME located in Gothenburg, Sweden, that develops and markets its proprietary NanoPlasmonic Sensing (NPS) technology. NPS technology applications range from high-end scientific instruments to large volume sensor applications. Currently, Insplorion is developing the technology for use in air quality sensors as well as cell-internal sensors for lithium ion batteries. Today, Insplorion has three different scientific instruments (price 50,000 Euro each) on the market and a total of 21 customers world-wide. The NO2 sensor, the first component in Insplorion’s air quality sensor line-up, has been developed in collaboration with Chalmers University of Technology and early sales are expected within the year 2020 following a prototype sale in December 2019.
Insplorion’s team consists of 12 highly motivated and experienced employees having a mix of entrepreneurial, sales, and technical competences. In 3beLiEVe Insplorion will adapt and further develop their battery sensor for automotive applications. Insplorion will mainly be involved in WP4 where the sensor is designed, including cell integration and algorithm development. In WP3 the potential influence of the sensor on cell performance will be investigated and in WP8 Insplorion will participate in the development of exploitation strategies.

Valeo is an independent industrial group focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for the automotive industry. Valeo ranks among the world’s top automotive tier one suppliers with a worldwide foot print: Present in 33 countries, the group employs 111 600 people in 184 plants, 55 research centers and 15 distribution platforms. In 2017 Valeo achieved 14.5 billion Euros of total operating revenues.

Valeo is organized in 4 business groups: Comfort and Driving Assistance (CDA), Powertrain Systems (PTS), Visibility Systems (VIS) and Thermal Systems (THS). Thermal Systems consists of 4 product groups, Thermal Bus Systems (TBS), Thermal Compressors (TPC), Thermal Power Train (TPT), and Thermal Climate Control (TCC), which is responsible for the development of components and systems for the thermal management inside the vehicle cabin and – with growing intensity – the battery of hybrid and full electric vehicles.

In 3beLiEve, Valeo is participating with two legal entities: “Valeo LV” (Valeo La Verrière – VLV) is the main research center of Valeo Thermal Systems, based in France, and Valeo Klimasysteme GmbH (VCC), located in Bad Rodach, Germany. Valeo has developed highly complex climate control units for all major vehicle manufacturers including Audi, BMW, VW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Ford, Tesla, etc. Bad Rodach manufactures 2 million climate control units a year (HVACs), e.g. for BMW (1 and 3 series), Mercedes (C- and E-Class) Mercedes trucks and MAN trucks.

In this project, Valeo will contribute its know-how in battery cooling in combination with its expertise in injection molding. This expertise has evolved over the past 40 years mainly for production of HVACs and was recently extended by using combined materials (organo sheets) and overmolding of thin foils acting as user interfaces (touch panels) for HVAC control units. Valeo’s challenge for this project is to apply these combined materials and overmoulding technologies to foils for pouch cells. Valeo will design and prototype the pack casing, cooling system and the integration with the BMS. In WP6, Valeo will produce and assemble the demonstrator modules, packs and cooling systems.

CIC energiGUNE is a research centre devoted to electrochemical and thermal energy storage. CIC energiGUNE was born in 2011 to generate excellent research in materials and systems for energy storage, maximizing the impact on results to the business sector, through collaboration with universities, research centres, and companies. Currently, CIC energiGUNE counts with a dynamic research team of 120+ researchers and is equipped with a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities for thorough materials characterization (XRD, SEM/TEM, XPS, AFM, PPMS, solid and liquid NMR, 55m2 Dry Room with equipment for electrode preparation and cell assembly, etc.) that will be available to 3beLiEVe.

The objectives of the Centre are strongly aligned with the European R&D Strategy for energy storage and the Basque Country RIS3 priorities, which identify energy storage as the central key to solve future energy needs. Additionally, CIC energiGUNE is a member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA) whose fundamental aims are, among others, to coordinate Basque scientific and technological capacity in order to create synergies and boost the innovation potential of the Region.

In 3beLiEVe, CIC energiGUNE will lead the development of the 3beLiEVe Si-C/LNMO chemistry cell, covering the gap from materials characterization to the lab-scale electrode formulation and cell balancing within WP2. In addition to the coordination of WP2 activities, CIC energiGUNE will characterize and carry out compatibility test of the cell components including materials degradation assessment. Furthermore, in the scale-up route, CIC energiGUNE will provide partners of WP3 with cell performance data from laboratory test and technical inputs and assistance for electrode preparation and full-cell assembly. Finally, in WP7 a post-mortem analysis will be carried out to complete project understanding of degradation mechanisms.

The institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA) of RWTH Aachen University is an integrated institute with three chairs. Prof. Rik W. De Doncker holds the chair on Power Electronics and Electrical Drives, Prof. Dirk Uwe Sauer the chair on Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Systems. Prof. Egbert Figgemeier holds the chair of Aging Processes and Lifetime Prediction of Batteries (ALB). With more than 120 scientists, engineers and permanent staff it is the largest university institute in Germany in the field of power electronics and energy storage. ALB is integrated in the Helmholtz Institute Münster (HIMS) which is placed in between Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, RWTH Aachen University and Münster university and thus bundles the battery expertise of all three institutions.

In this project, RWTH Aachen University will contribute its expertise in testing, lifetime assessment of battery technologies as well as its experience in the field of battery sensor techniques paired with diagnostics software and adaptive control strategies. The developed technology will show new effects and behave differently compared to the state-of-the-art. That’s why ISEA will experimentally investigate the batteries with electrical testing routines as well as physical, chemical and electrochemical analyses of the used components. Furthermore, the influence and control of novel sensor technology on BMS and battery will be analysed to assess technical and economic use of the new chemistries. A special focus has been given on standardized testing.

In this project, ISEA can rely on a strong background in battery testing and analysis: especially degradation effects, lifetime prediction and corresponding control and management software and hardware have been in the focus of research activities. In the last 10 years, more than 50 people have actively worked in these fields and developed experimental methods and diagnostic software. The measurements are performed in a testing field with 700 automatic charge/discharge units, 70 impedance test benches, 100 temperature chambers (- 30 – 130 °C). An open source framework, developed by ISEA, for the electrical-thermal simulation of batteries is readily available as well as a software suite to parameterize models via impedance spectroscopy. Furthermore, a chemical analysis laboratory is at the ready to investigate the ongoing effects. Microscopy (laser, light), spectroscopy (Raman, IR, UV, OES), x-ray diffractometry, porosimetry and a cell disassembly can be performed under inert argon atmosphere. Additionally, small scale coin and pouch cells can be built to perform electrochemical measurements on single electrodes.

CUSTOMCELLS® is one of the leading companies worldwide in the development of special lithium-ion battery cells. At the company sites in Itzehoe (Schleswig-Holstein – Germany) and Tübingen (Baden-Württemberg – Germany) CUSTOMCELLS® – Made in Germany – develops and produces application-specific battery cells from prototypes to small and medium series. On the basis of flexible manufacturing concepts and state-of-the-art research and production facilities, CUSTOMCELLS® guarantees high-tech solutions for special applications and tailor-made development and production of electrodes, electrolytes, battery cells and battery modules, depending on the customer’s requirements profile. With access to 14 industrialized electrode technologies, over 250 raw materials in stock and a production facility equipped with state-of-the-art electrode and cell manufacturing machines, CUSTOMCELLS® is one of the leading manufacturers of customized battery cells. CUSTOMCELLS®’s extensive process engineering know-how and deep understanding of electrochemistry guarantee short periods of time for the realization of individual cell characteristics.

The Fraunhofer Gesellschaft (FhG) is the leading organization of institutes for applied research in Europe, undertaking contract research on behalf of industry, the service sector and the government. At present, Fraunhofer maintains more than 80 research establishments at more than 40 locations throughout Germany. It employs around 24,500 people, mainly scientists and engineers, with an annual research budget of about €2.1 billion. Of this sum, more than 70% of the funding is earned through contract work, either for government-sponsored projects or from industry.

The Fraunhofer Microelectronics Alliance VµE coordinates the activities of the 10 Fraunhofer institutes working with about 2500 people in the fields of micro- and nano-electronics.

Among these, the Fraunhofer Institute of Integrated Systems and Device Technology (Institut für Integrierte Systeme und Bauelementetechnologie – IISB) in Erlangen is dedicated to front-end process development, as well as development of cognitive power electronic systems integrating artificial intelligence. Further, in its own electric vehicle test center, the Fraunhofer IISB is able to fully test electrical drives, complete powertrains, battery systems and electric vehicles including EMC.

In 3beLiEVe, Fraunhofer is defining and coordinating the interfaces between sensors and BMS, updating its open source foxBMS platform with the sensor interfaces and new operating algorithms, and providing the BMS hardware and software for module assembly.

NXP exists to create, produce and provide Secure Connections for a Smarter World. This involves the collaborative efforts of 31,000 people in 33 countries across the globe. To maintain an aligned vision across such a widespread and multicultural employee base, we have evolved a set of Values which our employees apply to their daily working lives. At the heart of Secure Connections for a Smarter World, there is a Customer-focused Passion to Win. This gives us the drive and the inspiration for our work, reinforced by five key Values: Raising the Bar, Engaging Curiosity, Taking Initiative, Working Together, and Developing Deep Core Confidence.

In the fast-paced, super-connected landscape of the modern world, we face unparalleled time-to-market pressures. To meet these, we have a strong global R&D network, with 6 testing / R&D sites, more than 11,000 dedicated R&D professionals and design engineering teams in 25 locations. Our commitment to R&D helps maintain our customers’ access to our innovative solutions in RF, analog, power and digital processing solutions, enabling the creation of further solutions in automotive, industrial, consumer, lighting and identification markets.

The Battery Management Systems Segment drives the business of NXP’s leading mixed-signal battery management products for automotive and industrial markets. Together with our digital and analog design teams worldwide we develop application specific standard products which integrate high performance analog functions as well as digital logic in high voltage CMOS processes.

Haldor Topsoe A/S was established in 1940 by Dr. Haldor Topsøe and the majority of the company is still owned by the Topsoe family. They have been market leader in heterogeneous catalysis and surface science for more than 75 years and have today 2,300 employees in 10 countries. For the last 8 years, they have worked on developing battery materials, among them a LNMO with great performance. In the 3beLiEVe project, Haldor Topsoe will supply LNMO for all the partners.

Elkem is one of the world´s leading companies for environment-friendly production of metals and materials. Its principal products are silicon, silicones, and special alloys for the foundry industry, microsilica and carbon. Elkem´s main office is in Oslo, Norway and there are production sites all over the world – in China, Brazil, South Africa, Canada, Island and Norway.

In this project, Elkem will provide the Silicon/graphite materials for the anodes. Both materials are produced by Elkem in Norway. The material will be tailored to contribute to the goals of 3beLiEVe.

ENEA is an Italian Government Agency operating in research, innovation technologies and advanced services in the fields of energy and sustainable economic development. It currently employs around 2,600 people located in 11 research centres throughout Italy. ENEA is concerned with energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and nuclear energy. It hosts experimental laboratories and facilities, and also dedicates its technological innovation skills to cultural heritage conservation, agro-food, health, and environment. Currently ENEA is organized in four main departments: Energy Technologies (DTE), Energy Efficiency (DEE), Territorial and Production Systems Sustainability (SSPT) and Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security (FSN). The FSN and DTE Departments are directly involved in the 3beLiEVe project through its Divisions: Physical Technologies (FSN-TECFIS) and Production, Conversion and Efficient Use of the Energy (DTE-PCU). In 3beLiEVe, ENEA works with partners developing the sensors and BMS platform, performing the role of a system integrator (sensor and BMS communications).

SENSICHIPS is an SME developing safety system microsensors. SENSICHIPS brings together a unique combination of expertise in materials science, analytical chemistry, nanotechnologies, precision analog microelectronics and artificial intelligence to engage in the development of a next generation learning microsensors platform. Miniature sensors include diverse sensor types, signal conditioning, acquisition electronics and synergistic coordination to improve recognition, in a single microchip. Measuring just 3x3mm, the chips offer an integrated microsensor IC platform with low power consumption. Powerful detection capabilities include chemical, radiological, materials diagnostics and electrochemistry. In the field of battery monitoring, the single chip EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy plus Electrochemical Potentiostat) for individual cell monitoring of SOC (State Of Charge), SOH (State Of Health), State of Function (SOF) and safety parameters. The miniature scale of the microsensors enable the chips to be embedded in a wide range of wearable electronics, paving a development path to smart fabrics with sensor capabilities. Sensichips is part of the Arescosmo/Aero Sekur Spa industrial group.

In 3beLiEVe, Sensichips will design and integrate an external impedance spectroscopy microchip sensor and test chip technology and sensor signal processing with project demonstrator cells. The team allocated to 3beLiEVe consists of Engineers, Researchers and Post-Docs with experience in transistor level Analog microelectronics, Digital microelectronics, CMOS Post Processing, Sensors, Nanotechnologies, Operations, Q&A, Field Application support and Software development. Additionally, Sensichips’ experienced regional business development team and representative firms will exploit 3beLiEVe opportunities abroad.

Avesta Battery & Energy Engineering (ABEE) is a dynamic engineering company specialised in the field of battery processing, manufacturing, battery system design, prototyping, and recycling and in particular for advanced Li-ion and solid state battery technology. ABEE is supporting the industry in development of tailored made solutions from battery materials to recycling for automotive and stationary applications through development of dedicated multiscale simulation tools and functions embedded in different platforms. In addition, ABEE is setting up state of the art battery manufacturing infrastructures and battery system design platforms. In this regard, ABEE will have by end of 2019 the state of the art electrode processing pilot line for advanced Li-ion, solid state batteries (oxide and sulfide) and innovative solutions for LiM coating. ABEE pilot line will be integrated within an unique dry room of 150m² with dew point of -60°C. Further, ABEE has extensive knowledge and expertise in the field of artificial intelligence techniques, state estimations for batteries and process modeling. In 3beLiEVe, ABEE will perform integration of BMS advanced diagnostics, adaptive operating strategies and cooling, and participate in the testing and verification of the advance ddiagnostics and adaptive operating strategies.

Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA) is a French governmental research-and-technology organization with activities in energy, Information Technology, healthcare, defense and security. CEA-Tech, one of its divisions, focuses on creating value and innovation through technology transfer to its industrial partners. It employs 4500 scientists and engineers including 300 Ph.D. students and 300 assignees from partner companies. CEA-Tech owns more than 2200 patent families.
CEA has a Large Research Infrastructure battery R&D platform that focuses on battery development (anode, cathode, electrolyte materials) and small-run production, from materials synthesis through to integration. In parallel CEA develops a full multi-scale modelling platform for different e-components of electric vehicles (battery or hybrid with fuel cell) with a model-based approach. Upscaling methodologies, in particular for lifetime models are included into the system level and control model. Predictive energy management strategies including durability constraints developed for electric hybrid vehicle. In addition, CEA disposes of all characterization equipment needed for the battery research (mechanical, electrochemical, material, electrical, abuse tests, etc).
In 3beLiEVE, CEA contributes to the definition of technical requirements and testing protocols, the second life use case, defines the recycling process at lab scale and performs LCA and LCC of the final demonstrators

Manz Italy Srl (formerly Arcotronics) is an Italian legal entity having business office and facility in Sasso Marconi (Bologna, Italy). Manz Italy Srl, fully controlled by Manz AG, started their operation in May 2014, with the acquisition by Manz AG of the Kemet’s Arcotronics machinery Division. Manz Italy is a pioneer enabler of lithium battery production technology, since 1986 when started the development and commercialization of spiral wound lithium metal cell assembly equipment. Manz Italy has more than 30-year experience in lithium metal foil handling with production equipment installed to assemble lithium metal primary cells, capacitors and rechargeable batteries for consumer and automotive application.
More than 40 million large size lithium ion automotive cells, made by Manz equipment, are embedded in HEV, PHEV and BE vehicle powertrains, currently on the road on all continents.
In 3beLiEVe, Manz Italy contributes to the definition of requirements for the overall cell, module and pack manufacturing process (WP1) and provides inputs for machine design and optimization steps during manufacturing (WP3). Manz Italy leads the WP5 concerning the modelling of the industrial production process for the final cells developed in 3beLiEVe and manufactured on the pilot scale in WP6, as well as for the modules and packs. The software model developed by Manz will encompass the production process for the defined module and pack designs and will demonstrate how these can be manufactured on an industrial scale. In WP6, Manz is involved in the provision of deep-drawn pouches for final cell production.

As a designer of materials and innovative solutions, Arkema accelerates the performance of its customers in order to create new uses in the lightening and design of materials, bio-sourced products, new energies, water management, solutions for electronics and performances of the housing/building markets.

Arkema is a global player in specialty chemicals and advanced materials, with three business segments, High Performance Materials, Industrial Specialties, Coating Solutions, and world-renowned brands, each being in the three leaders worldwide.

The Group generates revenues of 8.3 billion euros. Driven by the collective energy of its 19,800 employees, Arkema is present in nearly 55 countries.

In energy, Arkema is a chemical company involved in the research and development of advanced technical solutions for the Li batteries in general. Products suitable for the projects include fluorinated binders, ion conductive copolymers and composites, carbon nanotubes, packs and modules composites, and electrolytes formulations.
In 3beLiEVe, Arkema is supplying LiFSI, fluorinated binders for solvent or water-based processes and carbon nanotubes for solvent or water-based processes.

The Volvo Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications, and services. Founded in 1927, Volvo Group has approximately 85 400 employees today, production in 20 countries and sales activities in some 190 markets. 2017 the Volvo Groups’ operating income amounted to 30,3 bnSEK (approx. 2.7 Bn€).
Volvo Technology, founded 1969, is one of the legal entities within the Volvo Group organized under Group Trucks Technology, with its main office in Gothenburg (Sweden) and locations in France, United States, India, China and Japan. We participate in national and international research projects in strategic areas, involving academia, research institutes, authorities and other stakeholders. Through all of the European framework programs, Volvo Technology has participated in a large number of projects. Volvo Technology has currently 250 employees.

In 3beLiEVe project Volvo will define the battery pack requirements for commercial heavy duty vehicles and protocols for testing & validation from cell to pack level in WP1. In addition, in WP 7 electrical performance and life cycle tests (using the dynamic truck cycle) on cell level will be carried out. Similar but limited performance test will also be carried out on functional module and pack level. Together with all partners Volvo will take part in developing company specific exploitation of the 3beLiEVe results in WP8.

SNAM was formed as an offshoot of the metallurgical industry in 1981, and from the 1990s has established itself as a major player in the “loop economy”. Its core activity is the recycling of rechargeable batteries (Nickel cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride, and lithium ion). SNAM is a European leader for the following activities: recovery of cadmium, recycling of NiCd, NiMh and Li-ion battery. It also recycles alkaline and zinc carbon batteries and has developed sorting and battery recognition facilities. This recycling experience allows SNAM to be on the forefront of the development of the recycling process in WP5, in collaboration with CEA.
SNAM is acting in all European countries (95% of its turnover), but is also active in Northern and Southern America, Asia or the Middle East. Its activity concentrates mainly on the recycling of portable batteries coming from gross collection schemes, as well as industrial batteries coming from industrial partners.
On the other side, SNAM developed recently contractual agreements with international groups from the automotive industry such as Honda, Toyota, PSA Volkswagen or BMW. These agreements concern the collection in Europe and the recycling of their end-of-life EV and HEV batteries, as well as their production waste.
SNAM’s role as a partner in the recycling industry is a key link in the circular economy chain. Our activity helps mitigate:
• the environmental impacts tied to mining valuable commodity ores and minerals (nickel, cobalt, cadmium) in far-flung countries and
• the CO2 emissions tied to importing them back into the EU.
• the amount of waste landfilled on EU territory.