SMART SENSORS AND SELF-HEALING FUNCTIONALITIES EMBEDDED FOR BATTERY LONGEVITY WITH MANUFACTURABILITY AND ECONOMICAL RECYCLABILITY (SALAMANDER)

SALAMANDER项目的核心概念是在锂离子电池（LIB）中开发和集成嵌入式传感器和自愈功能，以提高其质量，可靠性和寿命。这是通过展示电池中的“智能”方面来实现的，该方面分析其自身退化的指标，并独立地响应外部刺激以触发按需自愈。为了实现这一目标，该项目提出了3种类型的传感器和2种类型的自我修复机制，以抵消典型LIB中发生的最具威胁性和破坏性的反应。在阳极上，电阻传感器阵列将被印刷到其表面上，以感测硅/碳复合物阳极中的电极断裂程度。阳极将嵌入一个自我修复的聚合物网络，在热激活时有助于重新结合硅纳米颗粒。对于阴极，将电化学传感器阵列印刷到隔膜上以感测Mn从LiNiMnCoO 2（NMC）阴极的溶解。为了防止Mn离子严重降解电池，阴极将嵌入热活化的清除物质，其去除这些离子。最后，内部温度传感器有助于控制热激活程度。在每种退化情况下，传感器与电池管理系统（BMS）通信，该系统使用基于物理的模型来触发受控加热以激活自我修复。此外，还将进行生命周期评估，以验证SALAMANDER电池的可回收性，并量化制造对环境的影响如何被更持久的电池抵消。因此，尽管该项目的技术预计在电池和电池管理系统层面具有颠覆性，但其设计仍将与现有的制造和回收流程兼容。因此，这些成果有助于实现“电池2030+”的目标，即建立一个具有竞争力的、可持续的欧洲电池价值链和一个更加循环的经济。

The core concept of the SALAMANDER project is to develop and integrate embedded sensors and self-healing functionality in Li ion batteries (LIB) to enhance their quality, reliability, and lifetime. This is achieved by demonstrating “smart” aspects in the battery which analyze indicators of its own degradation and independently respond with external stimuli to trigger on-demand self-healing. To achieve this goal, the project proposes 3 types of sensors with 2 types of self-healing mechanisms to counteract the most threatening and damaging reactions that occur in a typical LIB. On the anode, a resistance sensor array will be printed onto its surface to sense the degree of electrode fracture in the silicon/carbon composite anode. The anode will be embedded with a self-healing polymer network which upon thermal activation helps re-bind the silicon nanoparticles. For the cathode, an electrochemical sensor array is printed onto the separator to sense the dissolution of Mn from the LiNiMnCoO2 (NMC) cathode. To prevent Mn ions from critically degrading the cell, the cathode will be embedded with heat-activated scavenging species which remove these ions. Lastly, an internal temperature sensor helps control the degree of thermal activation. In each degradation scenario, the sensors communicate with the battery management system (BMS), which uses a physics-based model to trigger controlled heating to activate self-healing. Additionally, a life cycle assessment will be conducted to validate the recyclability of the SALAMANDER battery and quantify how the environmental impact of manufacturing is offset by longer-lasting batteries. Thus, although the project’s technology is anticipated to be disruptive at the cell and BMS levels, its design would remain compatible with existing manufacturing and recycling processes. These outcomes thereby help meet the goal of BATTERY 2030+ for a competitive, sustainable European battery value chain and a more circular economy.