Keylab
Battery Cell Manufacturing & Analysis
The Keylab Battery Cell Manufacturing & Analysis is currently set up. All relevant processes from synthesis and cell assembly all the way to post mortem analysis are included. Capital expenditure is ~ 5 million EUR. All devices are integrated into the glovebox cluster, which enables handling of all types of active materials including Lithium metal.
Drawing of the glovebox cluster with inert gas transport tunnel for sample transport.
Module Synthesis: Balances and dispersing units as well as empty space for further equipment enable preparation in the range of several mL up to 2 L.
Module Wet Coating: The slot die coater enables reproducible, volume steered coating (thickness variation +/- 3%) and includes a substrate holder that can be heated to 200°C. Dead volume is as low as ~ 2.5 mL enabling lab scale as well as pilot scale coating. A doctor blade is included, too. Coated active materials can be heated to 400°C at vacuum hot plates in glovebox. A calendering unit is available that can be heated to 200°C. An UV-ozone cleaner enables preparation of reproducible substrate surfaces.
Module Pouch Assembly: Electrodes and separators can be punched and cell stacks can be manufactured via single sheets stacking. A maximum of flexibility in lab scale and, at the same time, precision comparable to fab is guaranteed by a high-end solution of a well-known automation engineering company. A device for welding is included as well as tools for lamination and cup forming. Electrolyte filling is automated according to state of the art (2 to 250 mL). Cell formats: 40 x 60 mm & 80 x 120 mm (2 mm overhang from separator to anode to cathode).
Module Test & Cycling: Test channels of high quality are available for impedance spectroscopy as well as possibilities for formation & cycling.
Module Physical Vapor Deposition: Thermal deposition (Lithium) and sputter deposition (e.g. LIPON) are possible.
Module Analysis: A benchtop SEM including BS-, SE- and EDX-detectors enables post mortem analysis without leaving the Argon atmosphere (resolution < 10 nm). Analysis of slurries is possible via rheometers (oscillation & rotation including Peltier-controlled sample temperature) and a Karl Fischer titrator.
Furnaces: A climate chamber and several heatable antechambers are integrated.
Gas Purification: Nitrogen, oxygen and water vapor values are < 1 ppm. The handling of solvents, including Acetonitrile, is possible.
Transport System: Transport of samples from one glovebox to another is possible under inert conditions via that transport tunnel (up to 1.5 kg load).