As part of our series of interviews with BALIHT’s partners, Chiari Van Cauter from KU Leuven tells us more about their role in the project.
What is the role of KU Leuven in BALIHT project?
KU Leuven was responsible for the development of the battery’s membrane. This membrane is crucial in separating the electrolytes to maintain the battery capacity, while allowing ion transport for smooth charging and discharging. In this sense, the membrane is like the heart of the battery. Additionally, the membrane’s mechanical, thermal and chemical stability permits easy handling and continuous operation under BALIHT’s demanding conditions. Testing has been performed of both the developed membranes and commercial membranes to deliver the best solution to the project’s proposition.
KU Leuven’s Membrane Technology Group, led by professor Ivo Vankelecom, has gained profound expertise in membrane-based applications for solvent recycling, gas purification, drinking water and wastewater treatment, fuel cells, batteries, and bioreactors. The group aims at efficiently innovating the field of advanced membrane technology, starting from low technology readiness levels developing new concepts at molecular level and using high-throughput testing equipment, and subsequently moving further towards roll-to-roll upscaling using unique pilot-scale membrane production facilities.
KU Leuven’s Membrane Technology Group team involved in the project (from left to right: Ivo Vankelecom, Yun Li, Marie Lenaerts, Chiari Van Cauter):
What have been the main challenges faced by your team, and how did you solve them?
The development of membranes is inherently challenging: many parameters exist that influence the formation and performance of a membrane, and they are often interlinked through trade-offs. The Membrane Technology Group holds expertise in how to navigate these parameters for optimal development.
A main challenge was the demanding conditions of BALIHT project on the stability of the membrane. This was mitigated by studying and developing a range of polymers and membranes.
How would you describe the cooperation with the other partners?
The cooperation between the partners has been crucial to developing a battery where the individual parts are properly tuned to one another. KU Leuven had many interesting discussions mainly with MANN+HUMMEL, CMBLu and AIMPLAS.
More about KU Leuven:
KU Leuven’s Membrane Technology Group, led by professor Ivo Vankelecom, has gained profound expertise in membrane-based applications for solvent recycling, gas purification, drinking water and wastewater treatment, fuel cells, batteries, and bioreactors. The group aims at efficiently innovating the field of advanced membrane technology, starting from low technology readiness levels developing new concepts at molecular level and using high-throughput testing equipment, and subsequently moving further towards roll-to-roll upscaling using unique pilot-scale membrane production facilities.