ENEA Casaccia Research Centre

In the vast ENEA research topic, we represent the ACEL and MOST laboratory:

The ACEL Laboratory main activities focus on developing new materials and emerging technologies, but also in-dept characterizations, manufacturing aspects and simulations:

•       Lithium-ion, Sodium-ion and post-Li Batteries (zero-excess, Li-Sulphur, multivalent ion batteries)

•       Advanced material for electrochemical storage devices

•       Design, formulation and production of sustainable and intrinsically safe electrodes and electrolytes

•       Throughout structural and functional characterizations, also operando and in situ, at material, components and devices level.

•       Scale-up and feasibility analysis of innovative low TRL systems

Recent R&I activities relate to cell materials and ACEL Lab know-how are:

·         Anodes: Si nanowires & Si/Graphene composite; Hard Carbons for NIB

·         Electrolytes&Separators: Electrospun tailored membranes; Innovative ILs-based electrolytes

·         Cathodes: Li-rich layered oxide doped with abundant metals; NIB cathodic materials with low CRM content

·         Manufacturing: Electrodes productions (e.g. coating or gravure printing); Scale-up feasibility; Design for sustainable devices

New activities on digital twin for sustainable manufacturing have been funded by a national project started on January 2025.

Main facilities of ACEL lab are:

·         Chemistry facility

·         Dry room 30m2

·         Microscopy facility

·         Surface facility

·         Thermal analysis facility

·         X ray diffraction & tomography

·         Electrochemical testing facility (EIS, CV, cycle life,…)

·         Mechanical and stress test facility

·         Rheology and slurry optimization

·         ICP, XPS, SEM

·         Pilot line (small scale)

Important external well-established collaborations enable access to:

·         Small Angle Scattering machine

·         XPS and Micro-Raman facility

·         Synchrotron Radiation Facility BESSY II

·         Raman facility

·         TEM

The MOST Laboratory operates in the transportation systems sector, focusing on various aspects of sustainable mobility.

In this context, the organization conducts research, development, experimentation, characterization, and qualification of technologies, materials, processes, and products. It also designs prototypes and provides advanced technical services. Among other activities, it carries out experimental work. The organization offers technical and scientific services for innovative electrochemical storage systems used in automotive and stationary applications to support the demand for electric mobility. This involves performing characterization tests, cycle-life tests, and abuse tests to assess the performance and safety of electrochemical storage systems. Additionally, it explores applications for reusing decommissioned automotive batteries in stationary applications to support the electricity grid.

It designs, creates, and tests innovative solutions for charging electric vehicles, with particular reference to those used for local public transport.

The laboratory participates in national and European projects, working groups, commissions, and committees, including regulatory ones, national and international bodies, and organizations operating in the sectors of its intervention. It carries out support actions for institutions, Public Administration, and companies in the sector also through the provision of advanced engineering and technical-scientific services, and supports innovation and the transfer of technologies and knowledge to the production and educational system to help increase the competitiveness of the national industry and the diffusion of technical-scientific culture in society.