Lithium-metal battery research underway

Between 2026 and 2028, the Fraunhofer IST and its American branch are testing a carbon micro-layer in Germany to improve lithium-metal batteries. This project, called LIMAC, aims to enhance battery stability and durability for future electric vehicles.

LIMAC's goal and timeline

The LIMAC project, running from September 2026 to August 2028, is focused on making lithium-metal batteries more stable and durable. It is still in the fundamental research phase and not yet ready for production.

Lithium-metal anode potential

The approach involves using lithium directly as the anode material instead of graphite. This could offer higher energy density, allowing more energy storage in the same size battery or lighter batteries for the same range.

Challenges with lithium-metal anodes

The main challenge is the interface between the lithium-metal anode and the electrolyte, especially when it is solid. This area is prone to instability and can lead to faster battery degradation.

Amorphous carbon solution

To address this, the researchers are using thin layers of amorphous carbon as an interlayer between the anode and electrolyte. These layers are deposited on copper collectors using a Laser-Arc PVD process and will be tested in battery cells.

Environmental and scalability focus

The project also includes an environmental analysis to evaluate the material and energy flows. It aims to scale the technology to larger battery cells, potentially reducing the weight of electric vehicles while maintaining high energy density.