Mercedes-Benz is committed to climate protection and air pollution control. Therefore, we are planning electrification for all segments. To support this ongoing effort, Mercedes-Benz research and development departments continuously work on advancing battery technology. To achieve class-leading product, it is crucial that we have our own deep insight into cell and battery technology including knowledge of materials and simulation and collaborate with strong technology partners. Mercedes-Benz is convinced that further improvements in energy density and performance of lithium ion cells will further promote the electrification of drivetrains. While the last decade concentrated on improving  cathode materials and  electrode design, we believe that major improvements in anode and electrolyte technologies will even further push the performance in the coming years. Hurdles such as low cyclic stability and dimensional changes of the cells have barriers in the industrialization of novel anode technologies. Mercedes-Benz and our partners are confident these challenges will be overcome in near future. This presentation will give the audience a snapshot of our strategy.

Advancements in the capabilities of lithium-ion batteries have slowed down in the last decade. As conventional electrode materials approach their theoretical limits, substantial gains in battery energy density only come as a trade-off in safety or performance. My talk will introduce an innovative drop-in-replacement nanocomposite silicon-based anode powder that completely replaces graphite and offers around 5 times higher gravimetric capacity and enables 20% higher energy density (Wh/L) today over state-of-the-art lithium-ion to power portable electronics and electric vehicles. The unique features of this micron-scale anode material include high first cycle efficiency, very low volume changes during each cycle and very low lifetime electrode swell.  This enables battery manufacturers to attain long cycle stability with no prelithiation. The material is 100% compatible with existing lithium-ion factories and is manufacturable at global scale using commodity precursors

During the last decade, silicon has turned out to be the most promising element for boosting the capacity of anodes for lithium ion batteries. Nevertheless, in commercial cells blends of silicon with graphite are applied reflecting the inherent challenges when trying to stabilize the battery performance over time and usage. The presentation summarizes the most promising and most recent strategies to overcome these challenges by pre-lithiation and electrolyte additives.

Dr. Yu of Lionano SE Inc. will discuss the company's efforts to transform battery technology to enable safe, affordable, and manufacturable products for e-Mobility, including the development and performance of the company's segment-leading polymer-based solid-state LPE™ electrolyte

Wildcat has undertaken a systematic approach to both in situ and ex situ surface passivation methods for lithium metal to significantly boost the cycling performance of lithium metal batteries with carbonate electrolytes.   We investigated passivation materials in combination with a variety of electrolyte compositions. As a result, several protection layers are demonstrated for the lithium anode surface that show significant improvements in cycling, even at high charging currents and low excess lithium.

Charging layered oxides such as NCMs means storage of energy in a metal-oxygen host structure – it proceeds via a reversible oxidation of Ni and hybridization with O. Once Ni-O hybrid states are formed, irreversible reactions set. The lack of ionic Ni limits the reversible capacity. Moreover, the degree of hybridization, which varies with the Ni content, triggers the electronic structure and thus the operation potential of the cathodes.

The quite different chemical environment and mechanical constraints in solid state batteries create the demand for specifically designed cathode materials. The key issues will be briefly analyzed and the trend toward single crystalline NCM/NCA is reviewed.

CAMX has been focused on high nickel cathode materials for over a decade, engineering the interior of the secondary particle, having received global patents for the inventions. We will present in more detail our paths to lower cobalt, improve temperature performance, reduce impedance growth, mitigate cracking, and expand SOC operation.

Through a broad portfolio of advanced carbons that includes carbon nanotubes (CNT), carbon black, (CB), and carbon nanostructures (CNS) Cabot Corp. has brought world leading solutions for lithium-ion battery (LIB) cathodes. Advanced purification technology enables meeting stringent purity requirements of conductive carbon additives (CCA) for LIB applications. Through electrochemical testing of model cells, we demonstrate improvements in conductivity, low temperature, and cycling performance when formulating with Cabot's CCAs. 

With the energy density of battery cells playing an increasingly important role in accelerating EV adoption, Livent’s Printable Lithium Technology paves the way for next generation advanced lithium ion batteries and enables rechargeable lithium anode batteries.

Over the last ten years, ARPA-E has invested over $250 million and funded 100 projects relating to advanced battery technology. During his presentation, Dr. Cheeseman will highlight the accomplishments of recent projects relating to Electric Vehicles that have focused on Lithium Solid State Battery Technology. In addition, future paths for development will be considered and presented. 

Saft is developing new Li-ion products reflecting market needs: LTO cell for heavy cycling applications, phosphate-based technology for safety critical applications, NMC/Gr-Si-based cells for high-energy applications. Future materials will allow the development of next generations of Li-ion technologies: HV phosphates, LNMO, Li-rich rocksalts and titanium niobium oxide. Beyond conventional Li-ion batteries, Saft has launched a large program of R&D and industrialization on solid state technologies.

Conductive agents with high conductivity, purity, and a low additive amount are a major factor to increase the energy density of LiB for xEV.To support the next generation of xEV LiB cells, Denka newly developed an acetylene black which has superior battery performance than carbon nanotubes.

Due to growing health & safety concerns, regulations, and restrictions of NMP, a formulated NMP-Free cathode binder product has been developed. This formulated NMP-Free cathode binder product significantly improves operation safety and regulatory compliance while improving manufacturing efficiency and operational flexibility with better or equal battery performance.