In STREAMS, IMN will perform key safety tests on the manufactured pouch cells according to section 38.3 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria – UN Transportation Testing (Work Packages 2 and 6).
Meet the faces behind the project
Katarzyna Lota holds a PhD in engineering and heads the New Technologies for Energy Storage Research Group at IMN. She manages the battery science opportunities and challenges presented by sustainable business and a responsible society. Her team focuses on:
- Lithium batteries and cells, alkaline batteries (NiMH, NiCd, nickel-zinc, and silver-oxide), fuel cells, redox flow batteries, and electrochemical capacitors.
- Development of hybrid energy sources, including the application of renewable energy sources.
- Design, synthesis, modification, physico-chemical, and electrochemical characterization of hydrogen storage materials. This includes multi-component metal alloys, carbon-carbon composites, carbon-metal/carbon-metal oxide, and conducting polymer-metal-carbon nanostructures.
Katarzyna’s expertise is crucial for understanding the condition and behavior of batteries before processing them in recycling plants. Her role is vital for obtaining data on battery conditions and ensuring safety when handling lithium batteries at factory-scale levels.
“I believe that innovation combined with responsible business is the best combination to achieve sustainable development goals. Researchers inspired by market needs must do their best to make the economy “cleaner” and “greener” for modern societies.”
Grzegorz Lota, Professor and Director of a division at the R&D Institute, oversees research activities in chemical energy sources. His responsibilities include:
- Supporting experienced staff and creating strategic roadmaps for the company and the industry.
- Managing innovation in the energy storage sector by translating scientific opportunities into business language to maximize societal benefits.
- Overseeing the division that produces thermal batteries for dual-use purposes and operates a specialized accredited laboratory.
“Education, knowledge and expertise is the first step to a safe battery business, because the risk is high, the price is high, but the reward – the technology to effectively recycle lithium-ion batteries – is exciting. Safe and responsible innovation helps to minimise the risk.”
Katarzyna and Grzegorz’s expertise is essential for understanding the condition and behavior of batteries before processing them in recycling plants. Their roles are vital for obtaining data on battery conditions, ensuring safety when handling lithium batteries at factory-scale levels, and predicting battery behavior to identify and avoid hazardous situations.
About IMN
ŁUKASIEWICZ Research Network – Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals Division in Poznań (formerly Central Laboratory of Batteries and Cells) is a highly specialized organization with over 70 years of experience in R&D and application work in chemical power sources.
Established as part of the Lukasiewicz Research Network in Poland, IMN focuses on advancing research and innovation in areas related to non-ferrous metals and materials science.
At the core of IMN’s expertise lies its proficiency in the development and advancement of chemical power sources. Leveraging years of experience, the institute plays a vital role in pioneering innovative solutions that contribute to the evolution of energy storage technologies.
