ProZell develops a profound scientific and, in particular, technical understanding of the complex cell production processes. The variety of scientific questions that results from the complexity of battery cell production can only be successfully addressed by intensive cooperation of all relevant German research institution from industry and academia. The continuation of ProZell creates the framework for the joint work of research institutions and industry to establish a national battery cell production in Germany. The aim of the research cluster is to lay the scientific foundation for the establishment and sustainable development of an internationally leading battery cell production in Germany. The accompanying project eKoZell as a follow-up project of EMKoZell comprises work packages on management, scientific evaluation and results controlling as well as on internal and external communication of the competence cluster. Furthermore, the transfer of results within the cluster network and to industry will be supported.
The superordinate coordination of the competence cluster, the organisation of research colloquia and workshops, and regular progress monitoring are intended to strengthen the network of individual and collaborative projects in a targeted manner. Through continuous communication between the research projects and with the management circle of the cluster, that comprises members of industry and academia, a close network within the competence cluster is to be created and maintained, thus allowing close cooperation between science and industry.
By expanding the existing database system, which is tailored to the needs and requirements of the cluster, a structured pooling of knowledge and the utilization of the research results of the competence cluster shall be achieved. In this system, the data collected in the cluster and the empirical and/or analytical models derived from them are to be made accessible to the research institutions in the cluster as process quality property functions and process cost functions. The database system is an essential part of the overall exploitation of the research results of the competence cluster battery cell production and forms the basis for future initiatives together with industry along the value chain “battery” in Germany.
A further focus is on cost and environmental assessment. A modular tool will be developed and implemented so that technical and economic assessment of battery cell production can be deepened and supplemented by an assessment of the environmental effects associated with battery cell production. This supporting tool promotes the targeted engineering of battery production.
Furthermore, in the first year of the project, investigations will be carried out regarding the performance and processability of various NCM-811 cathode materials. The results will be made available to the ProZell cluster in order to facilitate the transfer of the project results to the cathode material NCM 811.