Researchers at the University of Birmingham have secured £6 million in funding for a new project aimed at improving lithium-ion battery manufacturing. The Formation, Ageing, and Sustainability Testing (FAST) initiative will establish a science-based framework for key production steps with the goal of cutting manufacturing time and energy use while boosting battery performance and sustainability.
Formation, ageing, and testing processes occur at the final stage of cell production and create protective layers that influence cycle life, energy capacity, and safety. FAST will initially focus on high-nickel NMC cathodes paired with graphite or graphite–silicon anodes. By optimizing protocols for single-layer and multi-layer pouch cells, the project seeks to reduce energy consumption, lower costs, and shrink factory footprint for these critical steps.
The Faraday Institution is providing the funding as part of a £9 million commitment to support battery technologies with commercial potential. The University of Birmingham will lead a consortium that includes the Universities of Warwick, Cambridge, Nottingham, and Oxford, alongside four industry partners and the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC).
Project leader Professor Emma Kendrick, from the University of Birmingham, commented: “This project represents a pivotal step in bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application. By deepening our understanding of battery formation and ageing, we can unlock new efficiencies and sustainability gains that will benefit the entire battery supply chain.”
To uncover the mechanisms behind formation and ageing, researchers will embed sensors in cells to measure pressure, gas evolution, and mechanical strain during cycling. They will also use operando X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging to observe physical and chemical changes under realistic formation conditions. These insights will inform and validate new FA&T protocols.
FAST is part of a broader £452 million investment in the UK’s Battery Innovation Programme, announced in June 2025 by the Department for Business and Trade. The programme aims to establish the UK as a leader in advanced battery manufacturing and innovation. FAST and companion projects are expected to run through September 2028, with additional funding decisions anticipated in early 2026.
Source: University of Birmingham News
