MAGENTA proposes a brand new technological path in thermoelectric materials research for waste-heat recovery applications. The originality of the project is based on the newly discovered thermal-to-electric energy conversion capacity of ionic-liquids and ferrofluids; i.e., colloidal dispersions of magnetic nanoparticles in ionic liquids (IL-FFs). It is an inter-disciplinary and cross-sector R&D project combining concepts and techniques from physics, chemistry and electrochemistry with an active participation from 3 SME and 1 industrial partners implicated in the materials supply-chain, the device design/performance and the market-uptake assessment. Both experimental and theoretical approaches will be employed to build foundational knowledge on novel magneto-thermoelectric phenomena in ferrofluids. Computational simulations will allow ‘bottom-up’ construction of IL-FFs with optimal conditions for harvesting energy. The end-products of MAGENTA, application specific magneto-thermoelectric materials and devices, will provide innovation leadership to European companies in waste-heat recovery industries. The lead-user industries targeted by MAGENTA are automobile and microelectronic sectors, but demonstration-type thermoelectric generators will also be produced for public outreach actions on waste-heat recovery technologies. Through its foundational, interdisciplinary and cross-sector research & innovation actions, the consortium will become a “seed community” for building an innovation ecosystem around the novel magneto-thermoelectric technology, presenting long-term impacts on future renewal energy science and technology from which the society as a whole can benefit. Withal, MAGENTA offers breakthrough thermoelectric materials that are versatile, cost-effective and non-toxic to assist the economically and environmentally sustainable energy transition in Europe.

COBRA aims to develop a novel Co-free Li-ion battery technology that overcomes many of the current shortcomings faced by Electrical Vehicle (EV) batteries via the enhancement of each component in the battery system in a holistic manner. The project will result in a unique battery system that merges several sought after features, including superior energy density, low cost, increased cycles and reduced critical materials. To achieve these ambitious targets we will: upgrade the electrochemical performance by focusing on Co-free cathode, advanced Si composite as anode and electrolyte/separator; cell manufacturing and testing for electrical and electrochemical performance; leverage the use of smart sensors and advanced communication to optimise the system control; battery-pack manufacturing that deliver cost-effective and environmentally sustainable battery over its lifetime. The proposed Li-ion battery technology will be demonstrated at TRL6 (battery pack) and validated it on an automotive EV testbed. The involvement of several leading organisation for battery manufacturing ensure easy adaptation to production lines and scale up to contribute to a higher market adoption while helping to strengthen Europe’s position in the field. Overall, the project includes the participation of 3 universities, 7 RTOs, 4 SMEs and 5 enterprises covering the entire value chain and strongly engaging EU battery industry.

The FIREFLY project rises to the sustainable evolution of the catalyst-based chemical industry, towards its electrification and reduced third-party dependence on metals and fossil energy. The controversial sustainability challenges and opportunities in catalysts recycling/production and catalyzed chemical processes motivated the synergy of 16 partners proposing the FIREFLY concept, relying on the development of: i) Electro-driven technologies for metal recycling from spent, waste, and off-specification catalysts available in Europeincluding a modelling, optimization, and engineering approach; ii) Efficient integration of renewable electricity; iii) A digital tool for predictive decision-making; iv) Production of (electro)catalysts for innovative (electro)chemical processes that overcome traditional production associated with high operating conditions, greenhouse gas emissions, and lack of circularity. The 48-month project foresees 3 stages: i) The technologies involved in the concept will be developed to TRL4, accompanied by an integrated sustainability assessment that will support the selection of the most promising technology routes based on their environmental and techno-economic performance. ii) The selected flowsheets will form the FIREFLY process, in a small-scale pilot. They will be demonstrated at TRL6 in the predictive, RES powered, and flexible production of new metal-based (electro)catalysts from secondary resources as well as in the application of these outputs in innovative (electro)chemical processes of selected chemicals: ammonia and hydrogen peroxide (with current environmental and operational concerns), depolymerization of lignin and biomass processing for bio-based chemicals (in support of defossilization of the chemical industry). iii) The activities and results will be effectively communicated, disseminated, and exploited to a wide set of stakeholders.

The overall objective of the ALION project is to develop aluminium-ion battery technology for energy storage application in decentralised electricity generation sources. ALION pursues an integral approach comprising electroactive materials based on “rocking chair” mechanism, robust ionic liquid-based electrolytes as well as novel cell and battery concepts, finally resulting in a technology with much lower cost, improved performance, safety and reliability with respect to current energy storage solutions (e.g. Pumped hydro storage, Compressed air energy storage, Li-ion battery, Redox Flow Battery...). The project covers the whole value chain from materials and component manufacturers, battery assembler, until the technology validation in specific electric microgrid system including renewable energy source (i.e. mini wind turbine, photovoltaic system…). Thus, the final objective of this project is to obtain an Al-ion battery module validated in a relevant environment, with a specific energy of 400 W.h/kg, a voltage of 48V and a cycle life of 3000 cycles.

A paradigm shift in energy storage technology is needed to support the transition towards the climate-neutrality set by the EU’s international commitments under the Paris Agreement, while ensuring the targets of EU’s Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials (CRMs). In this context, GREENCAP joins a multi-disciplinary consortium with 5 Universities, 1 R&D Institute, 6 companies, located in 7 European countries (including Italy, Germany, France, Ireland, United Kingdom, Estonia, and Netherlands) and 1 non-EU country (Ukraine), to unlock the full potential of supercapacitors (SCs) as electrochemical energy storage systems. We will develop a CRM-free technology exhibiting a battery-like energy density (>20 Wh/kg, >16 Wh/L), together with the distinctive superior power densities and high cycle life of traditional electrochemical double layer capacitors. GREENCAP will exploit layered 2D materials, including graphene and MXenes as electrode materials, and ionic liquids (ILs) as high-voltage electrolyte. The main objectives of GREENCAP are: i) to syntheses/functionalize graphene and MXenes via facile, scalable and sustainable (CRM-free) methodologies, assuring both high surface area and ion accessibility, introducing Faradaic charge storage mechanisms, and improving their quantum capacitance; ii) to produce novel non-/low-toxic and non-/low-flammable IL-based electrolyte with high conductivities, and a high electrochemical/thermal stability, ensuring SC operation at voltage > 3.5 V within -50°C to +100 °C temperature range, thus eliminating the need for sophisticated cooling systems; iii) to validate the novel SC technology at industrial scale by fabricating cylindrical cells at a TRL 6 while ensuring the creation/existence of the complete value chain from material to cell producers; iv) to produce a novel supercapacitor management system, enabling the full potential of the GREECAP’s SCs in high-end applications, and ensuring their integration into the circular economy.