BIG-MAP – Designing a European platform for the study of standardised and new batteries
BIG-MAP's Advanced Characterisation Work Package (WP5) is responsible for the creation of a European multi-modal, multi-technique platform enabling the investigation of standardised and novel batteries, using coordinated, state-of-the-art experimental techniques both in laboratories and at large-scale facilities (using X-rays and Neutrons).
In this context, the ILL, ESRF and CEA recently organised on 14 June 2023 a two-day joint workshop at the EPN campus in Grenoble, France.
Bringing together BIG-MAP characterization experts from ten EU academic laboratories, the meeting provided every participant with an opportunity to report on their results - based on an ambitious planned workflow of experiments run with a selected battery chemistry.
The exchanges led to discuss ongoing and future collaborations concerning one of the project's Key Demonstrators for data acquisition and analysis.
Two specific, data-oriented sessions were also organised to guide BIG-MAP users towards the best practices for data analysis:
- hands-on training for XPS data analysis - including a round-robin overview to establish normalized analytical protocols,
- general data analysis - highlighting methodologies for big data handling and data fairness, with a highly relevant presentation from V. Favre-Nicolin (ESRF).
The BIG-MAP project (Battery Interface Genome - Materials Acceleration Platform), as part of the European Battery 2030+ initiative, aims to revolutionise next generation battery innovation whilst greatly accelerating R&D capabilities.
This groundbreaking partnership consisting of over 30 leading European academic, industrial and research partners - leveraging in a coordinated and holistic environment:
- material expertise,
- AI orchestration,
- automated robotics for rapid material synthesis and testing,
- high performance computing,
- machine learning and
- advanced characterization techniques
Strengthening and extending synergies with other BIG-MAP Work Packages was also a fundamental objective of the workshop. This was achieved through the participation of scientists representing:
- the AI materials and discovery WP - specifically on the topics of high-throughput data handling and analysis, and
- the Ontology WP - who provided concrete demonstrations applied to characterization activities.