The State of Safety is crucial to implement and further develop lithium batteries.

The State of Safety is crucial to implement and further develop lithium batteries.

Source: BAM

State of Safety: Bringing lithium batteries safely into the future

Electrical energy storage systems (EES) such as batteries, which are currently primarily based on lithium-ion technology, are key to e-mobility and the green transformation. They make it possible to reduce CO2 emissions in transportation and temporarily store renewable energy from wind and sun. With a view to the energy efficiency of electrochemical processes - such as electrolysis as a prerequisite for the use of hydrogen - electrical energy conversion is also increasingly seen as an important component of a sustainable future. At BAM, we focus on the safety of EES (state of safety), sustainable energy materials (e.g. sodium-ion batteries) and the composition of materials at the molecular level through to entire components.

The state of safety, ageing and safety behavior of second-life and future cell technologies are the focus at BAM. This concerns all processes relating to charging, use and reuse in the "second life" of large and small batteries. In addition to examining thermal runaway at the nano level, we are also investigating its effects and researching counter-strategies at the application level.

The state of safety also comes into play when it comes to transporting prototypes of new batteries or recycling or disposing of defective lithium batteries. BAM has the sovereign task of approving the relevant packaging and specifies the conditions for transportation. To this end, we are involved in setting regulations and standardization at European and UN level.

Sustainable energy materials

Electrochemical technologies of the future are based on breakthroughs in the development of new types of energy materials that can make EES technologies more efficient and/or more cost-effective. The energy transition is particularly dependent on materials made from raw materials that are available locally and in large quantities. BAM is involved in the research and development of such energy materials for electrode materials for batteries and catalysts for electrolysis to ensure their safety.

With its comprehensive expertise on the state of safety, sustainable energy materials and tracing the composition of electrical energy storage systems, BAM is an ideal partner for science and industry in research into current and future battery technologies.

Services and competences in the field of electrical energy storage and energy conversion

Our expertise includes:

  • Carrying out multiphysical and chemical test procedures
  • Imaging and non-destructive testing
  • Safety tests and investigations on the thermal runaway of EES at cell level up to real scale
  • Studies on the ageing of EES
  • Modelling and simulations
  • Research into innovative components in our own materials laboratory
  • Participation in rule-making and standardisation at European and UN level
  • Approval and testing of transport packaging for defective lithium batteries
  • Research on recycling and disposal
  • Advice on constructive fire protection
Illustration: BAM's research in the field of electrical energy storage and energy conversion

BAM's research in the field of electrical energy storage and energy conversion

Source: BAM

Selected projects

HaCLIB - Hazard Classification of Lithium-Ion Batteries

SEE-2L - Stationary Electrical Energy Storage - Second Life Applications

DialySorb - Carbons as anodes in sodium-ion batteries

Ecat-Acetogens - Using CO2 for the production of chemicals

SafeLiBatt - Safety and risk assessment of 1st and 2nd life lithium-ion batteries

CoolBatt - Investigations on the low temperature behaviour of lithium-batteries

LiKlas - Classification of Lithium Batteries by Hazardousness

CoLiBri - Safety-related assessment of thermal operating load

Find BAM research projects in the field of energy and other topics in the
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Publications

BAM database PUBLICA

Further information

further information