Description and Role

Fraunhofer is a research organisation with different institutes. In SPRINT the institute for materials and beam technology (IWS) as well as the institute for materials cycles and resource strategy (IWKS) are involved.

Fraunhofer IWS has expertise in different areas like laser technologies, additive manufacturing and battery technology. The advanced battery technology center called ABTC provides processes for battery cell manufacturing and evaluation with a focus on different materials, cell and particle technologies.

Fraunhofer IWKS has expertise in recycling of battery materials, digitalization of resources, electrolyte development for batteries, sustainability assessment, and advanced materials characterization.

Within SPRINT, Fraunhofer IWS is responsible for the dry processing of electrodes in the patented DRYtraec process. In close cooperation with DCE promising binders will be tested on a small-scale equipment and mixing and extrusion parameters will be developed with TNO. Selected cell chemistries will be scaled up to provide sufficient electrodes for cell and module assembly.

Fraunhofer IWKS is responsible for the development of quasi-solid-state electrolytes for sodium ion batteries focusing on up scalable and sustainable technologies for achieving high performance and safety. IWKS will assess sustainability of the materials and processes proposed in SPRINT using LCA, LCI, and social LCA investigations.