RWTH Aachen University has launched a new research initiative to improve the quality and efficiency of battery cell manufacturing. The program, called CellLab, will be established by the university’s Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) and integrated into its existing CellFab prototype production line in Aachen, Germany.
The CellLab project is backed by the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia and aims to deploy advanced measuring systems to better understand the materials and processes involved in battery cell production. The new laboratory will incorporate both in-process sensors and post-process analytical tools, offering real-time and retrospective insights into material and product quality.
“With the analytical instruments, it will be possible to identify previously hidden characteristics of starting materials, intermediate products, and battery cells without external environmental influences,” said Professor Heiner Heimes, a member of the PEM management team. He added, “Production data alone is often not enough to develop comprehensive models—for example, for the calendering process.”
By linking lab analysis with production data, the initiative aims to detect hidden defects and inefficiencies during manufacturing. The goal is to enable earlier and more accurate predictions of cell performance, which the research team believes could lead to major improvements in battery quality and manufacturing yields.
The PEM Chair is one of Germany’s leading research centers for electromobility. Chair holder Achim Kampker, known for co-founding the electric delivery vehicle company StreetScooter, has overseen several projects focused on advanced battery technology, including the AI-driven InForm project and a study on Europe’s potential to lead in solid-state battery production.
Source: pem.rwth-aachen.de