The sodium battery is considered to be one of the most promising approaches in the search for alternatives to lithium-ion technology that are both ecologically and economically attractive. Four project partners are now working on an innovative concept for sodium solid electrolyte batteries: battery powder manufacturer IBU-tec, technical ceramics and industrial technology specialist Rauschert Heinersdorf-Pressig GmbH, measuring cell manufacturer EL-Cell GmbH and the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS. Unlike conventional lithium and also sodium-ion batteries, this type of battery is based on a solid electrolyte made of a special sodium-ion conductive ceramic as the heart of the battery cell. It is combined with a metallic sodium anode and a high-performance cathode powder based on transition metal oxides to form a so-called "all solid state" battery cell. In contrast to the usual liquid electrolyte, this battery cell does not have a high fire load, and the hazard potential is greatly reduced. The metallic sodium anode also has the advantage of a very high achievable energy density, since additional carbon, as in commercially available battery cells, is not required.

KeNaB-ART meets the technical challenge of developing a marketable solid-state battery cell: from raw materials to ready-to-install product. The battery concept can contribute to the "post-lithium-ion era" and enable the scalability of necessary cell compartments. The expertise gained in the project will help to manufacture more sustainable, stable and safer cells with high energy density in Germany and thus make an important contribution to the energy transformation.