Fraunhofer researchers aim to unlock the potential of lithium-metal anodes
Researchers from two Fraunhofer Institutes are exploring new approaches to improving the performance and lifespan of battery systems. One idea is to use lithium itself as an active anode material in lithium-metal anodes, thereby achieving higher specific capacity in battery cells.
The location of the Fraunhofer IST in Braunschweig.
Image: Fraunhofer IST
The Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST is collaborating with the Fraunhofer USA Center Midwest on the LIMAC project, which stands for “Amorphous Carbon Interlayers for Reliable Lithium-Metal Battery Cells”. The project has been running since September 2025 and is expected to continue until August 2028.
As part of LIMAC, the researchers are exploring new approaches to further improve batteries, with a particular focus on lithium-metal anodes. The team sees untapped potential here for developing longer-lasting battery cells, particularly regarding the interface between the lithium-metal anode and the (solid) electrolyte. According to the researchers, the stability of this interface is essential for achieving more reliable and durable battery cells.
To stabilise this interface, the Fraunhofer experts are introducing thin amorphous carbon layers. In the first step, these layers are deposited onto copper current collectors using an innovative Laser-Arc PVD process. “The coated materials will then be tested in battery cells and compared with reference cells,” the researchers explain. The goal is to determine which properties of the interlayers are critical for achieving the most stable interface within the battery cell. It is clear that the stabiliser is intended to enable the lithium contained in the cell to serve as an active anode material itself.
In addition to technical performance, the project also examines the ecological perspective and the future transferability to larger cell formats. “On the one hand, a life cycle assessment (LCA) will be used to examine relevant material and energy flows as well as the environmental impacts of the approach; on the other hand, a concept for scaling the technology to larger pouch cells will be developed simultaneously,” the team explains. In this way, the project combines material development and cell research with ecological evaluation and initial considerations for future scaling.
The potential added value for manufacturers is clear: more powerful and longer-lasting lithium-metal batteries could reduce the weight of electric vehicles while maintaining high energy densities. However, LIMAC is still at the stage of basic research.