Zinc-air rechargeable batteries are a promising alternative for sustainable energy storage, thanks to their high energy density and the use of abundant materials with low environmental impact, as well as their safe operation. However, they still have some technological limitations that prevent their current capacity from being completely satisfactory, especially because of the degradation that occurs at the cathode and corrosion of the anode, which ultimately limit both the reversibility and a long battery life. The proposed methodology allows to protect the (electro)catalytic centers. In this way, it is intended to extend its useful life, improving both its behavior in real conditions, and solving the existing problems in the electrodes. Thus, based on this technology, new electrodes will be manufactured that will later be tested in pre-industrial battery prototypes

Being flexible, easily foldable and recyclable, paper as substrate and functional part of portable, wireless, and/or disposable electronic devices is emerging as a promising approach to develop sustainable electronics contributing to reduce the electronic waste. INNPAPER is a use-case driven project aiming at providing a configurable common electronic platform based on multifunctional paper. To develop innovative paper manufacturing approaches, including (Nano)cellulose functionalization, to generate paper with tailor-made properties (e.g. (super)hydrophobicity/philicity, conductivity, etc) at surface and bulk level will be the first key challenge of the project. Based on this progress, a configurable common platform comprising a variety of paper-based devices (printed battery, electrochromic display, antenna and hybrid electronic circuit), where the paper will act as substrate and active component, will be developed. The common platform will be the basis for the subsequent manufacturing of a variety of use-cases covering different industrial sectors, in particular packaging and Point of Care (PoC) assays (security, food traceability, medical). The paper-based platforms will be manufactured in existing printing and hybrid manufacturing pilot-lines located at the partners facilities, providing not only a high impact paper-based electronics business case but also an open-access pilot line network to the EU after the project. An eco-design strategy including sustainability and re-use issues will be implemented. Exploitation and Business plan to ensure the profitable use of the pilot-lines in short and long term timescale and the commercialization of the resulting paper-based platforms will be elaborated. The accomplishment of the INNPAPER targets will support the EU industry in the emergence of internet of things, consolidating the paper making and wood-harvesting industries and positioning EU in the environmental management of electronic waste.

SiGNE will deliver an advanced lithium-ion battery (LIB) aimed at the High Capacity Approach targeted in this work programme. Specific objectives are to (1) Develop high energy density, safe and manufacturable Lithium ion battery (2) optimise the full-cell chemistry to achieve beyond state of art performance (3) Demonstrate full-cell fast charging capability (4) Show high full-cell cycling efficiency with >80% retentive capacity (5) Demonstrate high sustainability of this new battery technology and the related cost effectiveness through circular economy considerations and 2nd life battery applications built upon demonstrator and (6) Demonstrate high cost-competitiveness, large-scale manufacturability and EV uptake readiness. SiGNE will achieve these objectives by incorporation of 30% Si as a composite where it is electrically connected to the Graphite in nanowire form. This will realise a volumetric ED of >1000 Wh/L when pre-lithiated and paired with a Ni- rich NCM cathode optimised to deliver 220 mAh/g. This will be further enabled by a specifically designed electrolyte to maximise the voltage window and enable stable SEI formation. A sustainable fibre based separator with superior safety features s in terms of thermal and mechanical stability will be developed. SiGNE will establish the viability of volume manufacturing with production quantities of battery components manufactured by project end. The battery design and production process will be optimised in a continuous improvement process through full cell testing supported by modelling to optimise electrode and cell designs through manufacture as a 21700-type cylindrical cell and prototype testing at by OEMs. (SOH) monitoring across the entire battery lifecycle will optimise safety 2nd use viability. SIGNE will go significantly beyond SoA with recovery of anode, cathode and electrolyte components. In this circular economy approach recovered materials will be returned to the relevant work package to produce new electrodes.