Lithium metal batteries could store far more energy than what's in your phone or electric car today, but they have a fatal flaw: tiny metal spikes called dendrites grow inside and eventually kill the battery or cause it to short-circuit. The HIDDEN team built materials that can actually heal themselves when these spikes start forming — think of it like a scratch on your skin that closes up on its own. They combined smart liquid crystal electrolytes and vibration-sensing separators with machine learning to detect and stop dendrite growth before it causes damage, then scaled these materials from lab benches toward factory-ready manufacturing.
Current lithium-ion batteries are reaching their energy density limits, and next-generation lithium metal batteries — which could store significantly more energy — are held back by dendrite growth that causes short circuits, fires, and rapid degradation. Battery manufacturers and EV companies need materials and processes that can prevent or heal dendrite damage to unlock safer, longer-lasting, higher-capacity batteries.
The project built self-healing thermotropic liquid crystalline electrolytes, piezoelectric separator technologies, and a machine learning-based monitoring algorithm for dendrite detection. All test cells were produced for analysis, and manufacturing processes were upscaled using printing and coating techniques designed for industrial compatibility.
If you are an EV battery manufacturer dealing with limited driving range and battery degradation over time — this project developed self-healing electrolytes and piezoelectric separators that target 50% higher energy density than current Li-ion technology. That means fewer battery replacements and longer range per charge, directly reducing warranty costs and improving your competitive position.
If you are a renewable energy company struggling with battery storage systems that degrade too quickly — this project developed self-healing battery materials designed to extend battery lifetime significantly. Longer-lasting storage means better economics for solar and wind farms, reducing the frequency and cost of replacing expensive battery banks.
If you are a battery materials supplier looking for next-generation products — this project developed scalable manufacturing processes for thermotropic liquid crystalline electrolytes and piezoelectric separators using printing and coating techniques. With 3 industry partners already involved in upscaling, the manufacturing pathway from lab to production line has been mapped out.
The project does not disclose licensing costs or pricing. As a publicly funded RIA project coordinated by VTT (Finland), licensing terms would need to be negotiated directly with the consortium partners who hold the IP. SciTransfer can facilitate an introduction to discuss terms.
Yes, the project explicitly focused on upscaling from laboratory to industrial manufacturing processes using printing and coating techniques. The consortium includes 3 industry partners experienced in scaling battery technologies. However, full commercial-scale production has not yet been demonstrated.
IP is shared among the 8 consortium partners across 4 countries (Finland, France, Switzerland, Cyprus) according to their Horizon 2020 grant agreement. VTT as coordinator can direct you to the right IP holder for the specific technology you need — whether electrolytes, separators, or the monitoring algorithm.
Based on the project objective, the target is 50% higher energy density compared to current Li-ion batteries. The self-healing mechanisms are designed to extend battery lifetime by preventing dendrite-related failures, which is one of the main causes of lithium metal battery degradation.
The project produced test cells for analysis and worked on upscaling manufacturing processes. Based on available project data, the technology has moved beyond lab proof-of-concept toward prototype validation, but is not yet commercially deployed.
Based on available project data, the self-healing and dendrite-prevention features directly address safety concerns — dendrite growth is a primary cause of battery short circuits and thermal runaway. Specific regulatory certification details are not available in the dataset.
The project specifically developed manufacturing processes using printing and coating techniques designed to be industry-compatible and scalable. The involvement of 3 industry partners suggests the technology was designed with existing production infrastructure in mind.
The HIDDEN consortium is a compact but well-balanced group of 8 partners across 4 countries (Finland, France, Switzerland, Cyprus), with a 38% industry ratio — meaning more than a third of the team comes from companies, not just labs. VTT, Finland's largest research institute, leads the project, bringing strong credibility in scaling technologies from research to industry. With 3 industry partners and 2 SMEs in the mix, plus an external advisory board of key industry end-users, this project was designed with commercialization in mind from the start. The interdisciplinary team covers battery chemistry, materials modelling, printing and coating for upscaling, and industrial cell assembly — a full value chain from materials to manufacturing.
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland — contact through SciTransfer for a direct introduction to the project coordinator
Want to explore licensing or partnership opportunities with the HIDDEN team? SciTransfer can arrange an introduction to the right consortium partner for your specific need — whether that's the self-healing electrolyte, the piezoelectric separator, or the machine learning monitoring system.
