Selbstentladung messbar gemacht – Präzision trifft Zellkompetenz: Michael Deutmeyer (Geschäftsführer der EAS Batteries GmbH) sprach mit Limatica GmbH, einem Start-up aus Chemnitz (Sachsen) über die Zukunft der Messetechnik von Lithiumionenzellen und wie in enger Zusammenarbeit wahre Fortschritte für die Zukunft der Zellqualität geschaffen werden können.
EAS Batteries and Limatica combine their strengths: cell production meets innovative measurement technology. Together, they enable the precise determination of the self-discharge of large-format LFP cells – not in days, but within an hour. In this interview, Michael Deutmeyer (CEO of EAS) and Bastian Ruther (CEO of Limatica) talk about the first successful test phases, the integration of measurement technology into production, and the strategic importance of this partnership for Central Germany as a place of innovation.
Mr. Deutmeyer, Mr. Ruther—what motivated your two companies to collaborate, and what added value does the combination of cell manufacturing and measurement technology bring?
Michael Deutmeyer (EAS Batteries):
Our goal at EAS is to continuously improve the quality of our lithium-ion cells. Self-discharge is a key indicator in this regard, as it directly influences the efficiency and reliability of the cell. Limatica is working on a novel measuring system that can detect the self-discharge rate within an hour, rather than after several days, by measuring voltage noise. This will enable us to evaluate cell quality more quickly based on self-discharge and to respond early in the production process if necessary.
Bastian Ruther (Limatica):
The partnership is a win-win situation. We can support a local company with strong cell and battery expertise in increasing quality and efficiency. At the same time, we have the opportunity to further develop our technology for LFP cells. This enables a quick assessment of cell self-discharge, which can be directly integrated into the production process as feedback. Self-discharge can be determined in less than an hour, rather than several days as is currently the case. This gives EAS a quick quality assessment of the batch produced, enabling fast feedback loops back into production and thus reducing waste. Specially developed, high-resolution Limatica hardware is used to measure voltage noise.
Which stage of the project are you currently at?
Bastian Ruther (Limatica):
Initial measurements on large-format LFP round cells show good agreement between voltage noise and classically determined self-discharge. Voltage noise was measured for 30 minutes on cells of different ages in the flat part of the open-circuit voltage characteristic curve – an area that is poorly suited to conventional methods. The cell contact system was then optimized to minimize external interference. Phase two is currently underway: the measurement system is being fed with data from over 1,000 cells in order to train the model and enable reliable predictions of self-discharge to be made in the future, as well as to map the actual self-discharge of the cells..
Michael Deutmeyer (EAS Batteries):
The big advantage is that the measurements in this phase can be carried out alongside production over the next few months. This, together with the results from the preliminary tests, made it easy for us to decide to start the second phase of the project. After this training phase, further measurements alongside production are planned, during which the determination of self-discharge within one hour is to be validated. The prospect of having initial information on ongoing production available in less than an hour in the future will significantly improve the monitoring of the manufacturing process. Instead of a single self-discharge value, more data will be available for evaluation and subsequent process improvement.
What is the strategic significance of this collaboration in terms of your company's future direction?
Michael Deutmeyer (EAS Batteries):
In addition to our activities in national and international research projects, we always strive to advance cell production in innovative ways with strong partners and creative minds. The support we provide for the Limatica measurement system with our extensive practical know-how gained from over 25 years in the cell sector is a prime example of this. To promote this and similar formats, we are currently setting up an innovation hub in Nordhausen—a kind of incubator for all new developments related to lithium-ion cells and batteries. With our expertise and our comprehensive range of testing and production facilities, we want to serve as a springboard for start-ups and contribute to significantly shortening development times and paving the way for commercialization.
Bastian Ruther (Limatica):
For Limatica, this is a great opportunity to test and further develop our technology in another industrial production environment. The collaboration with EAS is a real innovation accelerator for us, and we are delighted to be working together to strengthen battery expertise in Germany/Europe from our base in central Germany. Our goal is to share these experiences with other founders and work together to realize synergies for the future of lithium-ion cells.
With this partnership, EAS is further demonstrating its focus on innovative product improvement and its forward-looking approach to continuously improving the quality of its cells. If you are interested in the partnership or the technology, please feel free to contact sales@eas-batteries.com and paul.bueschel@limatica.com.