Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Fractal Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering (Fraunhofer IWS) have confirmed the industrial readiness of DRYtraec technology, which can significantly change the production processes of batteries for electric vehicles. The development has already been licensed by one of Europe's leading car manufacturers, which shows a high degree of trust on the part of the industry and opens the way for its large-scale implementation.
DRYtraec technology replaces the traditional " wet " method of producing lithium-ion batteries, which uses a suspension with toxic solvents and requires a long drying stage. Instead, the new method involves dry application of the electrode material-without the use of liquids.
The process is based on a dry mixture of active substances, carbon and binders, which is applied using a calender unit. Under the action of shear stresses, fibrillation of the binding components occurs, so that the particles are fixed mechanically. An additional advantage of the technology is the possibility of simultaneous double-sided application of the electrode layer, which reduces production space, reduces energy consumption and accelerates the production cycle.
According to one of the authors of the technology, Professor Stefan Kaskel, DRYtraec is particularly effective when working with materials that are sensitive to solvents, and provides stability and electrochemical characteristics comparable to traditional methods. Development has been underway since 2013, and during this time the technology has undergone a comprehensive optimization, including the possibility of continuous monitoring in roll production lines.
In addition to lithium-ion batteries, the technology is compatible with promising types of batteries — sodium-ion, lithium-sulfur and solid-state. This makes DRYtraec a potential platform for a wide range of solutions in the field of energy storage and the production of next-generation batteries.
Experts believe that the introduction of dry methods in mass production can be an important step in reducing the cost of batteries, which, in turn, will affect the overall availability of electric vehicles and the sustainability of production chains.
