Thermo Fisher Scientific has unveiled its Energy 16 Protect Glovebox with integrated Energy 16 twin-screw extruder for lithium-ion battery electrode processing.
The company claims it will save labour resources while prioritising safety with containment solutions, with working continuous processes to reduce inconsistencies.
The Energy 16 solution combines twin-screw extrusion capabilities and a controlled atmosphere within a user-friendly setup for easy handling during battery manufacturing, as lithium-ion battery materials must be processed under dry or inert conditions.
The Energy 16 allows for solvent-free or solvent-reduced processing, which could eliminate or reduce energy-intensive solvent evaporation and recycling, as well as the use of hazardous and expensive volatile solvents.
It has a flexible configuration so that battery manufacturers can adapt to a wide range of applications from granulation, polymeric solid-state electrolytes and dry electrode materials to wet slurries.
Additionally, it offers users increased throughput and precise process control with eight controlled temperature zones along the barrel, to simplify complex processes and offering high reproducibility for improved material efficiency and consistency.
Thermo Fisher said the new machine is aimed towards automotive and battery manufacturers, particularly those who are exploring emerging battery technologies. Other key customers include chemical manufacturing and material suppliers who need an extruder in their product development labs, R&D and process development departments across the battery industry and academia, along with industrial quality assurance of advanced battery components and materials.
Image: The Energy 16 Glovebox with twin-screw extruder. Credit: Thermo Fisher.
