GISEL (National Centre of Reference for Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems)
GISEL aims
The research groups, both from Universities and Research Institutions, operating in Italy in the sector of materials for electrochemical energy storage have characteristic dimensions much smaller than those of the main competitors in the European and international field. On one hand, this makes it very difficult to measure oneself on an equal footing in terms of advanced scientific research, on the other hand, the small size of the Italian groups also make access to European funding (Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe) more complex. In addition, many small groups nationwide operate on the same segments/topics of scientific and technological research, thus making it more complex for companies to identify the most suitable partner to provide collaborations and consultancy.
Since almost all the academic groups operating in the sector belong to INSTM, it seems logical from a strategic point of view to create a subject not only able to propose itself as a special interlocutor towards the national and international industry, but also to configure itself as a credible partner in the synergic public-private operations that will constitute the European future in the electrochemical storage sector (EBA, Batteries Europe, EERA, Battery 2030+, BEPA).
The GISEL Center wants to establish itself as the largest national pole in the field of research and development of advanced materials for electrochemical energy storage technologies (in particular, batteries and supercapacitors). GISEL includes 14 groups of Italian Universities and Polytechnics, more than 70 internationally-recognized researchers, and an instrumental patrimony worth over 10 million euros.
In addition to the prevalent research on materials, their characterization with cutting-edge techniques and modeling, the Center deals with the entire value chain of the sector, from the preparation of electrodes and electrolytes to their assembly in cells on a laboratory scale, to their functional tests, the battery pack test, recycling and reuse issues.
The Center is organized on seven research lines, which can be integrated/modified on a three-year basis, each of which is coordinated by one or more responsibles who manage the relationships/collaborations between the partners and the research and service activities to the outside:
A1 - Electrode materials for secondary lithium batteries
A2 - Electrolytes and membranes (including separators) for lithium / sodium batteries
A3 - New chemistries: anionic redox (O2, S), post-Li and multivalent alkaline cations
A4 - Flow batteries, supercapacitors and integrated systems
A5 - Safety, LCA and value chain
A6 - Multiscale modeling of devices and constituents
A7 - Advanced characterization methods.
The objectives of the Center are:
- to strengthen the network of collaborations between proposers through closer integration of research and joint participation in European and international research calls;
- to develop an integrated offer of services and consultancy for industry;
- to constitute a point of reference at national and international level in the electrochemical energy storage sector.
Finally, the Center also wants to act as a driving force for communication and dissemination activities with the aim of improving the image of the technology of electrochemical storage systems in the perception of public opinion. Emphasis will also be given to issues related to the recycling and reuse of batteries.