WMG

WMG is an academic department at the University of Warwick, with internationally recognised expertise and facilities in electrification and battery research and development. Recognized for excellence in research, teaching, innovation, and industry collaboration, WMG serves as a global role model for successful partnerships between academia and the public and private sectors. WMG’s state-of-the art Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) features facilities spanning the entire battery development process. Key areas of expertise include the development of new battery chemistries, manufacturing and engineering processes that are scalable from materials through to cell, system and application, advanced characterisation, systems engineering and control methods to optimise the creation and integration of energy storage technology across many sectors. Our Battery Scale-Up (BSU) facility can produce full-size prototype cells of consolidated and novel battery chemistries accelerating innovation from early-stage concepts to higher technology readiness levels (TRLs).

The mission of the EPISODE project is to develop next-generation non-lithium battery technology and establish a competitive, European-based battery supply chain that supports the EU’s net-zero transition. This vision aligns with WMG’s commitment to innovation through close collaborations with industrial leaders and academic experts. The next generation, sustainable battery systems, in particular sodium-ion batteries, is a strategic research area for WMG, which holds expertise and a dedicated team focussing on advancing knowledge and overcoming the challenges for sodium-ion battery materials and cells development. Contributing to the development of sodium-ion battery system positions WMG at the forefront of technological advancement in the rapidly growing energy storage field. The collaborative and multidisciplinary nature of the project will enable WMG to consolidate its role in the field while expanding capabilities, knowledge and supporting the development and training of the next generation researchers. The unique academic approach blended with industrially relevant expertise will allow WMG to support and drive innovation for the development of sustainable sodium-ion batteries.

With state-of-the-art laboratory facilities ranging from lab-scale to pilot-scale operations and a dedicated team of researchers specializing in sodium-ion battery materials and cells, WMG will play a pivotal role in advancing the EPISODE project. Leveraging its academic expertise, as WP2 leader, WMG will focus on developing sustainable battery cell components, analysing their lab-scale performance, and ensuring successful integration into larger-scale battery cells.

The team in WMG will address challenges in scaling up manufacturing processes and optimizing components to achieve both performance and sustainability objectives. By examining the structure-property relationships of materials and evaluating the link between manufacturing processes and performance outcomes, WMG will actively contribute to achieving EPISODE’s mission.