Advancing Europe's clean transport future through Next-Generation battery technology
Heavy-duty vehicles constitute only 2% of vehicles on European roads yet account for 28% of transport CO₂ emissions. With the EU mandating a 90% reduction in heavy-duty vehicle emissions by 2040, current lithium-ion battery technology faces critical limitations: insufficient energy density for long-range operations, lengthy charging times, and supply chain vulnerabilities due to dependence on scarce materials like cobalt and nickel.
Lithium-sulphur (Li-S) batteries offer a compelling solution, utilising abundant sulphur to deliver theoretical energy densities up to five times higher than conventional systems whilst dramatically reducing costs and supply risks. However, current Li-S technology suffers from rapid degradation, slow charging, and safety concerns that prevent commercial deployment.
Our aim
ANGeLiC addresses these challenges through advanced atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular layer deposition (MLD) protection techniques. The project’s core objectives encompass:
- Breakthrough protection technologies: Developing Generation 5 Li-S battery cells utilising ALD and MLD techniques to protect both lithium-metal anodes and sulphur-carbon cathodes, fundamentally addressing the polysulfide shuttle effect and dendrite formation that plague current Li-S systems.
- High-performance cell design: Creating innovative battery architectures that integrate sulphur-carbon cathodes with advanced polymer electrolytes, targeting energy density of 500 Wh/kg at the cell level whilst maintaining operational safety and environmental sustainability.
- Real-time monitoring innovation: Implementing revolutionary operando measurement techniques featuring ultra-thin, implantable mesh sensors that provide precise, real-time monitoring of internal battery parameters including temperature, pressure, and electrode potential during operation.
- Industrial manufacturing readiness: Scaling advanced manufacturing processes, including roll-to-roll lithium anode deposition and ALD/MLD coating techniques, ensuring compatibility with existing lithium-ion production infrastructure to facilitate rapid market adoption.
- Commercial viability framework: Conducting comprehensive techno-economic assessments and developing robust commercialisation strategies that align with European Green Deal objectives and strategic battery independence goals.
ANGeLiC will deliver
- Proven approaches for enhanced battery safety (EUCAR Level 4/2)
- Validated technology pathways for 500 Wh/kg energy density
- Proven approaches for faster discharge rates (4C liquid, 2C polymer)
- Demonstrated solutions for 800+ cycle battery life
- Scalable manufacturing processes at cell level targeting <75 EUR/kWh cost
- Technical roadmaps for industrial implementation
Project duration and funding
Duration: 1 June 2025 – 30 November 2028 (42 months)
Funded under: Horizon Europe, Call: HORIZON-CL5-2022-D2-01
Funding body: European Research Executive Agency (REA)
EU funding (grant): €5 million
Grant Agreement: No. 101202842
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Foundation and development
Technology development of ALD/MLD protection techniques, electrolyte formulation, and initial coin cell testing and characterisation.
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Advanced testing and optimisation
Operando measurements, sensor integration, material optimisation, and comprehensive electrochemical evaluation of developed components.
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Scale-up and integration
Roll-to-roll manufacturing processes, pouch cell fabrication, safety assessment, and pilot-scale demonstration of integrated technologies.
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Validation and Assessment
Life cycle assessment, techno-economic evaluation, manufacturing compatibility assessment, and performance validation against KPIs.
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Dissemination and Exploitation
Stakeholder engagement, patent applications, scientific publications, and commercialisation strategy development.
Industry Advisory Board
The ANGeLiC Industry Advisory Board comprises four distinguished experts from leading European organizations, providing strategic guidance to bridge between research innovation with industrial implementation. The Board advises on technical development, market requirements, manufacturing scalability, and commercialisation pathways for the project's lithium-sulphur battery technologies.
Aurélie Guéguen
Senior Engineer, Toyota Motor Europe (Belgium)Dr. Guéguen contributes deep expertise in advanced battery technology R&D, including materials research, electrochemical characterization, and cell testing, drawing from her academic background and industry experience in next-generation automotive battery development.
Hugo Leduc
Technical Advisor, STS (France) and Advisory Board Member, VoltRAn electrochemist with expertise in solid-state lithium metal batteries, battery diagnostics, and EV repurposing, Leduc provides insights on battery manufacturing, quality assurance, and energy storage applications from both startup and utility-scale perspectives.
Sebastian Maletti
Development Engineer, Hilti Group (Germany)Dr. Maletti brings a decade of battery expertise spanning post-Li-ion cathode materials, lithium and silicon anodes, and power tool battery applications. His focus lies in understanding commercial cell technology and optimizing battery performance for demanding industrial use.
Pierre Kubiak
Principal Engineer, National Physical Laboratory (UK)As Chair of the British Standards Institution's committee on secondary cells and batteries, Dr. Kubiak specializes in developing accurate battery measurements, quality control protocols, and industry standards. His experience spans Na-ion battery development, Li-ion failure diagnostics, and large-scale battery system characterization.
Work Packages
The ANGeLiC project is structured around six collaborative work packages (WPs). Each WP addresses a critical aspect of next-generation Li-S battery development, from fundamental materials research and protection technologies to manufacturing scale-up, assessment, and commercial exploitation.
Li-metal anode fabrication and protection
Led by: CEMEAThis work package focuses on developing scalable and manufacturable Li-anode preparation and surface coating techniques for enhanced protection and activation. Activities include electrodeposition processes, ALD/MLD protective coatings, polymer electrolyte application, and electrolyte additive development to increase safety, cycle life, and manufacturability whilst preventing dendrite formation during Li plating and stripping.
Development of the Li-S cell
Led by: HIPCThis work package centres on designing and developing Li-S cells with liquid and hybrid polymer electrolytes, incorporating advanced materials and coatings to improve capacity, cycle life, and manufacturability. Activities include innovative binder development, sulphur-carbon cathode design with protective coatings, molecular dynamics simulations, and comprehensive electrochemical characterisation of both liquid and polymeric electrolyte systems.
Operando measurements and monitoring
Led by: UCLThis work package performs correlation of electrochemical performance with structural changes during charging/discharging to provide optimisation feedback for WP1 and WP2 components. Activities include operando measurements in cells with liquid and hybrid electrolytes, development of implantable multifunctional sensors, and multi-length-scale in-situ imaging to identify mechanisms hindering battery operation and guide structure-based optimisation.
Advanced Manufacturing Techniques
Led by: CNRSThis work package focuses on scaling advanced manufacturing techniques and integrating them into production processes, ensuring scalability and compatibility with existing Li-ion infrastructure. Activities include transition of anode coating processes to pilot scale, roll-to-roll lithium electrodeposition, pouch cell fabrication, safety and performance evaluation, manufacturing compatibility assessment, and comprehensive environmental impact analysis.
Communication, dissemination, exploitation and Stakeholder Platform
Led by: CIVThis work package ensures effective communication of project outcomes and develops robust exploitation strategies for commercial deployment. Activities include visual development and branding, techno-economic assessment, collaboration with EU battery initiatives (BATT4EU, Battery2030+), stakeholder engagement, scientific publications, conference presentations, and development of commercialisation roadmaps.
Project Management
Led by: CIVThis work package ensures efficient project coordination and management, maintaining alignment with Horizon Europe guidelines and requirements. Activities include administrative and financial management, Industrial Advisory Board operation, legal and IP management, risk assessment, quality assurance, and coordination of consortium activities to ensure timely delivery of objectives and milestones.
