From Mining to Manufacturing: Scientific Challenges and Opportunities behind Battery Production

Abstract

This Review explores the status and progress made over the past decade in the areas of raw material mining, battery materials and components scale-up, processing, and manufacturing. While substantial advancements have been achieved in understanding battery materials, the transition to large-scale manufacturing introduces scientific challenges that must be addressed from multiple perspectives. Rather than focusing on new material discoveries or incremental performance improvements, this Review focuses on the critical issues that arise in battery manufacturing and highlights the importance of cost-oriented fundamental research to bridge the knowledge gap between fundamental research and industrial production. Challenges and opportunities in integrating machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to digitalize the manufacturing process and eventually realize fully autonomous production are discussed. The review also emphasizes the pressing need for workforce development to meet the growing demands of the battery industry. Potential strategies are suggested for accelerating the manufacturing of current and future battery technologies, ensuring that the workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to support research, development, and large-scale production.