CPI Collaborates on Faraday Challenge Battery Cell Project
18 Dec 2018
The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) is working in a collaboration, funded under the Government’s Faraday Challenge initiative, to develop UK-made battery cells for niche electric vehicles.
The project aims to design and deliver a range of battery cells to suit suppliers’ individual technical challenges for a range of niche vehicles including buses, emergency vehicles and marine craft amid amplifying demand for environmentally-friendlier transport.
It will use Britain’s strong battery technology research to re-shore cell manufacturing and is expected to significantly strengthen the UK’s supply chain and export market, while delivering around 2,000 skilled jobs by 2027.
Funded by an Innovate UK grant and led by Thurso-based AGM Batteries Limited, the seven-partner-strong collaboration, which includes Williams Advanced Engineering, Lancaster University and WMG, University of Warwick, seeks to offer a solution to non-mainstream vehicle manufacturers’ difficulties in accessing the specialised battery cells they require to build power systems.
Although many SMEs are working on cells, they are frequently unwilling or unable to provide appropriate certification, warranties, short lead time and guaranteed continuity of supply.
![The project aims to design and deliver a range of battery cells to suit suppliers’ individual technical challenges for niche vehicles including buses, shown above, emergency vehicles and marine craft The project aims to design and deliver a range of battery cells to suit suppliers’ individual technical challenges for niche vehicles including buses, shown above, emergency vehicles and marine craft](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-bus.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224133&s=6abfdcade25e1964f7047a81db923fd3 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-bus.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224133&s=2c2347d44d7ddd349c9443053262a144 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-bus.jpg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224133&s=c7fcde3e8e6d5c891a07ffb886d777cc 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-bus.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224133&s=6b44e4c1743048e82b002b3115145155 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-bus.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224133&s=37479aa99ea0522da2049b6e54cdf363 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-bus.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224133&s=e3cfaa89cb1ec8e225e99555027dca11 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/electric-bus.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559224133&s=05c74d4938425807a9bac4fe9ec0c611 960w)
Additionally, larger, globally-based generic cell manufacturers are often unwilling to meet the individual requirements of niche vehicle manufacturers.
However, CPI working in partnership with the consortium, will develop a range of cells, bringing together state-of-the-art facilities and industry expertise with customisation and predictive modelling to provide cost-effective solutions.
CPI will work on the 24-month project as an academic partner to speciality chemicals and advanced materials manufacturer William Blythe Limited, supporting process development and scale-up work.
William Blythe will draw on its in-house expertise and CPI’s assistance to develop a material in collaboration with AGM Batteries Limited, using its plant to produce cells for the project, which also includes Delta Motorsport.
![CPI is using its cutting-edge formulation facilities, based at NETPark, in Sedgefield, County Durham, to support a Faraday Challenge project that is focused upon developing battery cells for niche electric vehicles. Pictured are workers in one of CPI’s formulation laboratories CPI is using its cutting-edge formulation facilities, based at NETPark, in Sedgefield, County Durham, to support a Faraday Challenge project that is focused upon developing battery cells for niche electric vehicles. Pictured are workers in one of CPI’s formulation laboratories](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/cpi-formulation-laboratory-ii.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223132&s=95dfa74bba723e6c8c1cdd4d10de1538 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/cpi-formulation-laboratory-ii.jpg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223132&s=d074ac8ad4a2a15b0fb16feffdc05120 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/cpi-formulation-laboratory-ii.jpg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223132&s=4bc3956d6e2ba3c92656a764b6e5e2ad 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/cpi-formulation-laboratory-ii.jpg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223132&s=35404baf246c0aaa9101155c3a69225d 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/cpi-formulation-laboratory-ii.jpg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223132&s=0187a3d537f87b217d06bd09e3d4ba3c 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/cpi-formulation-laboratory-ii.jpg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223132&s=72b103f514c86b5c30e761e402476f69 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/cpi-formulation-laboratory-ii.jpg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1559223132&s=a03a2035cdd59e4d7e5d6ab38f007464 960w)
The Government’s Faraday Battery Challenge is an integral aspect of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.
Seeking to lower carbon and tackle air pollution, the fund supports research and innovation around the development of new battery technologies for future vehicles to create a stronger UK solid-state materials supply chain.
Dr Graeme Cruickshank, Director of Formulation at CPI, said: “We are delighted to be working closely with partners in this Faraday Battery Challenge project.
“By using our state-of-the-art formulation capabilities here at CPI, we are able to re-apply our expertise from other advanced coatings to create these products for our greener tomorrow. This is an interesting and exciting time to be part of this industrial revolution.”
Steven Farmer, Innovation Director of AGM Batteries, said: “This project will provide UK-based niche automotive manufactures with a home-grown supply chain option, bringing stability and assurance of product supply.”
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