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Luleå University of Technology Participates in a New Project on Flexible and Low-Temperature Batteries

The research subject Chemistry of Interfaces one of the participants in a new Interreg Aurora project aimed at developing fluorine-free electrolytes for batteries operating at low temperatures.

The research project, entitled “Flexible and Sustainable Solid-State Batteries for Cold-Weather Electronic Applications”, is a collaboration between researchers in Mid Sweden University, Oulu University and Luleå University of Technology (LTU).

Batteries for Extreme Conditions

This new project aims to create innovative flexible batteries that can operate at as low as -40°C. In this context, the deveopment of new electrolytes is crucial because the conventional electrolytes fail to work at such low temperatures. This is due to the fact that ion transport in battery electrolytes decreases in cold conditions, which adversely affects the power delivery capabilities of the batteries. The solution involves innovative materials and manufacturing methods that make the batteries both flexible and functional in harsh environments. These batteries could potentially be used in flexible displays and wearable electronics, such as sensors that measure movement, pulse, or sweat.

Luleå University of Technology's role is to develop stretchable iongel electrolytes that are compatible with the anodes and the cathodes that will be developed by the other partners. We aim to create flexible and stretchable fluorine-free iongel electrolytes utilizing readily available greener precursors that can provide high ionic conductivity at lower temperatures, explains Prof. Faiz Ullah Shah.

A Nordic Collaboration

The project is a collaboration between LTU, Mid Sweden University, and two research groups at the University of Oulu, which also serves as the project coordinator. Additionally, five companies are involved in monitoring the project, two of which are affiliated with Mid Sweden University. Each university contributes its expertise: Mid Sweden University focuses on anodes, Oulu on cathodes and printing techniques and LTU on fluorine-free stretchable iongel electrolytes.

Funding and Future Prospects

The project has a budget of approximately SEK 10 million, with Luleå University of Technology accounting for about a quarter of the total.

This project is an excellent opportunity for us to contribute to the technological advancements in flexible low-temperature battery technology as well as strengthen the Nordic research collaboration, concludes Prof. Faiz Ullah Shah.