July 2023
Alexander Teklit Tesfaye has been working at Umicore since 2020, focusing on solid-state battery development works in Corporate R&D with a particular focus on cathode active material development.
Alexander and his team at Umicore N.V. main activities in SAFELiMOVE are the development, scale up, and production of cathode active materials, especially focused on the Work Package 3 “Advanced Material Set” that focused on material development and optimization activities for high-performing and safe solid-state batteries.
What was your original motivation to become a researcher?
I have always been interested in how things work and how they can be improved. I found research a stimulating and rewarding career that allowed me to pursue my passion and curiosity.
What is your (main) research area today?
My main research areas are next-generation battery materials with special emphasis on all solid-state batteries (ASSB).
What is the main objective of your team in SAFELiMOVE?
My team’s main task is defining, optimizing, characterizing, and supplying nickel-rich layered oxide (NMC) cathode active materials.
What expertise and facilities does your team have to meet those objectives?
Umicore has extensive know-how and world-renowned facilities in cathode active material development, characterization, and production.
Which aspects of your research at SAFELiMOVE do you believe are the most innovative and what unique opportunities offer SAFELiMOVE to yourself and/or your organisation?
I believe the good balance between industrial and academic partners would enable SafeLiMove to make a relevant contribution to advancing solid-state battery technology for EV applications.
How do you see the future use of the SAFELiMOVE-results and the impact of SAFELiMOVE-project in our daily lives?
Umicore Rechargeable Battery Materials is an innovative leader in cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries for wide-ranging applications. SafeLiMove is one of the many activities Umicore actively participates in developing solid-state battery materials to continue being an innovative, responsible, and reliable partner in the transition to electromobility.
