Thermo2deal

Thermo2deal: THERmal MOdulators based on novel 2D mxEne materials for nearly isothermAL battery operation

Batteries represent the present and future of our electrified society. One of the challenges within this field is ineffective battery thermal management (BTM), leading to device failure, limited performance, and lifetime reduction. BTM require a) effective dissipation of heat in warm environments to avoid thermal runaways, while b) the retention of heat in cold environments to avoid energy drops. This relates to the inevitable compromise of cooling (dissipate heat) and insulating (retain internal heat) in batteries depending on the needs. Current BTM are too bulky and provide mostly cooling capabilities, hampering batteries to perform optimally. Solid-state thermal modulators represent the ultimate solution for regulating batteries’ temperature. However, their performances and sizes are far from sufficient to deploy them for BTM.

THERMO2DEAL aims to develop a novel interfacial thermal modulator that enables dynamic heat management in batteries to achieve nearly isothermal performance. We will develop specific types of large area 2D transitional metal carbides materials, i.e. MXenes, that will be tuned electrochemically to modulate their thermal properties. These MXenes will be the essence of a new thermal modulator design for facile integration in batteries. The scalability, its quickly and repeatedly toggle on and off, and its large hot to cold switching contrast makes it pioneer in the field. I will address scientific challenges in the synthesis of scalable and unique MXenes, demonstration of thermal tuning on them and their integration in pouch cells,e.g. basic battery stack units in cars or house appliances,for temperature modulation. Experiments and theory using a nano- to macro-scale approach will be used to overcome these challenges.

This proposal will be a key stepping stone in developing advanced BTM for improved battery performance and lifetime. In the long term, this project will be at the frontier of new thermal technology for energy recovery or storage

Link to the project at European Comission website: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101123381 

Grant agreement ID: 101123381
DOI 10.3030/101123381
EC signature date - 7 December 2023
Start date - 1 May 2024
End date - 30 April 2029
Funded under European Research Council (ERC)
Total cost € 1 988 794,00

Coordinated by Miguel Muñoz Rojo (ICMM-CSIC)