Assessing the Application-Specific Substitutability of Lithium-Ion Battery Cathode Chemistries Based on Material Criticality, Performance, and Price

The material use of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is widely discussed in public and scientific discourse. Cathodes of state-of-the-art LIBs are partially comprised of high-priced raw materials mined under alarming ecological and social circumstances. Moreover, battery manufacturers are searching for cathode chemistries that represent a trade-off between low costs and an acceptable material criticality of the comprised elements while fulfilling the performance requirements for the respective application of the LIB. This article provides an assessment of the substitutability of common LIB cathode chemistries (NMC 111, −532, −622, −811, NCA 3%, −9%, LMO, LFP, and LCO) for five major fields of application (traction batteries, stationary energy storage systems, consumer electronics, power-/garden tools, and domestic appliances). Therefore, we provide a tailored methodology for evaluating the substitutability of products or components and critically reflect on the results. Outcomes show that LFP is the preferable cathode chemistry while LCO obtains the worst rating for all fields of application under the assumptions made (as well as the weighting of the considered categories derived from an expert survey). The ranking based on the substitutability score of the other cathode chemistries varies per field of application. NMC 532, −811, −111, and LMO are named recommendable types of cathodes

Potenziale der schwachen künstlichen Intelligenz für die betriebliche Ressourceneffizienz

POTENZIALE DER SCHWACHEN KÜNSTLICHEN INTELLIGENZ FÜR DIE BETRIEBLICHE RESSOURCENEFFIZIENZ Potenziale der schwachen künstlichen Intelligenz für die betriebliche Ressourceneffizienz / Friedrich, Robert (Rights reserved) ( -

Die Ultraeffizienzfabrik. Handlungsfeld Material: Vortrag gehalten auf der Veranstaltung "Ultraeffizienzfabrik - Herausforderungen und Handlungsfelder. 08. Juli 2019, Stuttgart

Im Rahmen des Forschungsprojektes Ultraeffizienzfabrik wird das Handlungsfeld Material beschrieben. Dabei werden verschiedene Methoden und Tools vorgestellt, die zur Identifikation und Erschließung von Materialeffizienzpotentialen genutzt werden können

Die Ultraeffizienzfabrik. Umsetzung konkret - Ultraeffizienz-Tools. UEF-Leitbilder & UEF-Benchmark: Vortrag gehalten auf der Veranstaltung "Ultraeffizienzfabrik - Herausforderungen und Handlungsfelder. 08. Juli 2019, Stuttgart

Vorstellung des Ultraeffizienz-Benchmarks. Durch die ganzheitliche Analyse verschiedener Kennzahlen über die 5 Handlungsfelder der Ultraeffizienzfabrik hinweg (Emission, Energie, Material, Mensch/Personal, Organisation), werden interdisziplinäre Handlungsempfehlungen zur Optimierung abgeleitet. Der Vergleich zu anderen teilnehmenden Unternehmen aus derselben Branche ermöglicht eine Einordnung der eigenen Ultraeffizienz-Performance

How to Simplify Life Cycle Assessment for Industrial Applications—A Comprehensive Review

Life cycle assessment (LCA) has established itself as the dominant method for identifying the environmental impact of products or services. However, conducting an LCA is labor and time intensive (especially regarding data collection). This paper, therefore, aims to identify methods and tools that enhance the practicability of LCA, especially with regard to product complexity and variance. To this end, an initial literature review on the LCA of complex products was conducted to identify commonly cited barriers and potential solutions. The obtained information was used to derive search strategies for a subsequent comprehensive and systematic literature review of approaches that address the identified barriers and facilitate the LCA process. We identified five approaches to address the barriers of time and effort, complexity, and data intensity. These are the parametric approach, modular approach, automation, aggregation/grouping, and screening. For each, the concept as well as the associated advantages and disadvantages are described. Especially, the automated calculation of results as well as the automated generation of life cycle inventory (LCI) data exhibit great potential for simplification. We provide an overview of common LCA software and databases and evaluate the respective interfaces. As it was not considered in detail, further research should address options for automated data collection in production by utilizing sensors and intelligent interconnection of production infrastructure as well as the interpretation of the acquired data using artificial intelligence

Wasserelektrolyse ist bereit für den Markthochlauf: Studie zeigt Roadmap zur Gigawattindustrie auf

Die Wasserelektrolyse zur Erzeugung von Wasserstoff wird im Rahmen der Ener­giewende beziehungsweise zur Erreichung der Klimaziele der Bundesrepublik Deutschland als Bindeglied zwischen erneuerbarem Strom, anderen Energieträgern und Grundstoffen benötigt. Allein für Deutschland wird bis zum Jahr 2050 ein er­heblicher Ausbau der installierten Elektrolysekapaiität bis zu einem zweistelligen Gigawattbereich erwartet. Jedoch werden heutige Anlagen meistens unter Manufak­turbedingungen und in Kleinserie hergestellt. Im Rahmen einer durch das Bundes­ministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur beauftragten Studie wurde da­her untersucht, wie man sicherstellen kann, dass die Wasserelektrolyse zukünftig als leistungsfähige Technologie verfügbar sein wird, und welchen Herausforderungen Deutschland beim Aufbau einer Gigawatt-Elektrolyseindustrie gegenübersteht

A Conceptual Framework for Biointelligent Production—Calling for Systemic Life Cycle Thinking in Cellular Units

A sustainable design of production systems is essential for the future viability of the economy. In this context, biointelligent production systems (BIS) are currently considered one of the most innovative paths for a comprehensive reorientation of existing industrial patterns. BIS are intended to enable a highly localized on-demand production of personalized goods via stand-alone non-expert systems. Recent studies in this field have primarily adopted a technical perspective; this paper addresses the larger picture by discussing the essential issues of integrated production system design. Following a normative logic, we introduce the basic principle of systemic life cycle thinking in cellular units as the foundation of a management framework for BIS. Thereupon, we develop a coherent theoretical model of a future decentralized production system and derive perspectives for future research and development in key areas of management

Principles of Management Systems for Positive Impact Factories

The sustainable design of production systems is essential for the industry’s future viability. In this context, the concept of positive impact factories has recently evolved, striving for a completely loss-free factory benefiting positively its surroundings. To establish a holistic view of this approach in everyday corporate life, it is necessary to develop a management policy with defined process flows in the sense of a dedicated management system. This paper thus reviews the scientific literature on (sustainable) management systems and develops a tailored management system for the example of the ultra-efficiency factory. In doing so, we specifically combine and complement established management systems such as environmental, energy and quality management, as well as compliance, maintenance, and lean management. In order to define an applicable framework, the basic considerations presented here were developed in cooperation with and reviewed by a large German automotive supplier. Thereupon, the results are discussed with regard to the future implementation of the system, and starting points for future research are derived

Artificial Intelligence Applications for Increasing Resource Efficiency in Manufacturing Companies—A Comprehensive Review

Sustainability improvements in industrial production are essential for tackling climate change and the resulting ecological crisis. In this context, resource efficiency can directly lead to significant advancements in the ecological performance of manufacturing companies. The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) also plays an increasingly important role. However, the potential influence of AI applications on resource efficiency has not been investigated. Against this background, this article provides an overview of the current AI applications and how they affect resource efficiency. In line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this paper identifies, categorizes, and analyzes seventy papers with a focus on AI tasks, AI methods, business units, and their influence on resource efficiency. Only a minority of papers was found to address resource efficiency as an explicit objective. Subsequently, typical use cases of the identified AI applications are described with a focus on predictive maintenance, production planning, fault detection and predictive quality, as well as the increase in energy efficiency. In general, more research is needed that explicitly considers sustainability in the development and use phase of AI solutions, including Green AI. This paper contributes to research in this field by systematically examining papers and revealing research deficits. Additionally, practitioners are offered the first indications of AI applications increasing resource efficiency

Designing Component Interfaces for the Circular Economy—A Case Study for Product-As-A-Service Business Models in the Automotive Industry

The resource-intensive automotive industry offers great potential to avoid waste through new circular business models. However, these new business models require technical innovations that enable the rapid dismantling of add-on parts. In this paper, we design new mechanical interfaces that enable fast and non-destructive dismantling while still fulfilling all technical requirements and develop a general model for the evaluation of disassembly capability. For this purpose, the current dismantling options of add-on parts are first examined and evaluated concerning defined KPIs using the example of the front bumper. Based on the analysis, the requirements as well as various solution principles for the new interface concept can be derived. The necessity of removing neighboring components is identified as the main challenge for rapid dismantling. Two different concepts for the interfaces were developed by inserting an intermediate level as a connecting part between the front bumper and the front module. We prove that by redesigning and reconstructing the interfaces the number of process steps required to remove the front bumper could be reduced by roughly 60% compared to current interface solutions. The developed methodology should be applied to other components of a vehicle to create a greater positive environmental, economic and societal impact