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Our multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers are leading the development of advanced battery materials tailored to meet the evolving demands of energy storage.

We conduct both strategic research and work with industry to:

  • advance manufacturing of Australian natural graphite for lithium-ion battery anodes
  • synthesise high-performance electrode materials for lithium-ion and emerging battery chemistries including Sodium-ion and metal electrode-based chemistries
  • engineer electrolytes using ionic liquids, organic compounds, and solid-state formulations
  • apply advanced surface modification techniques to enhance battery durability and performance
  • conduct rigorous materials characterisation using SEM, XRD and other advanced analytical tools.

These capabilities support the creation of safer, more efficient and sustainable batteries with improved energy density and cycle life.

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Battery Cell Design and Prototyping

CSIRO’s expertise spans the full spectrum of battery cell development. We design, assemble and test coin cells and pouch cells, enabling rapid prototyping and performance validation.

Our facilities include:

  • electrochemical testing of cathode, anode and electrolyte materials using typical test equipment and the CSIRO developed FASTER robot.
  • prototyping capabilities for single and multilayer pouch cells up to 200 mm x 150 mm.
  • customisable cell architectures to suit diverse applications—from consumer electronics to industrial-commercial scale storage.
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We also collaborate with partners to develop modular battery systems and integrate cybersecure battery management technologies, with capabilities including:

  • power electronics design and prototyping.
  • battery Management Systems including both hardware and software.
  • system assembly and testing.

Manufacturing and industry collaboration

CSIRO’s Manufacturing Research Unit supports Australian companies in scaling battery technologies from lab to market. Our world-class infrastructure and engineering expertise enable:

  • prototyping and pilot-scale production of battery components and systems.
  • materials characterisation and performance optimisation.
  • commercialisation support through programs like SME Connect.

We work across sectors to deliver innovative, low-risk solutions that help manufacturers remain globally competitive and environmentally sustainable.

Our multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers are leading the development of advanced battery materials tailored to meet the evolving demands of energy storage.

We conduct both strategic research and work with industry to:

  • advance manufacturing of Australian natural graphite for lithium-ion battery anodes
  • synthesise high-performance electrode materials for lithium-ion and emerging battery chemistries including Sodium-ion and metal electrode-based chemistries
  • engineer electrolytes using ionic liquids, organic compounds, and solid-state formulations
  • apply advanced surface modification techniques to enhance battery durability and performance
  • conduct rigorous materials characterisation using SEM, XRD and other advanced analytical tools.

These capabilities support the creation of safer, more efficient and sustainable batteries with improved energy density and cycle life.

[Music plays and an image appears of battery charging and the charging percentage counting up beneath and text appears: We’re investing in lithium-ion batteries for Australia’s manufacturing future]

[Image changes to show laboratory workers at work and text appears: Our battery lab now offers in-house battery electrode coating]

[Image changes to show a THANK METAL coating system machine and the camera zooms in on the machine and text appears beneath: Using our THANK METAL coating system]

[Camera zooms in on the black slurry on the foil moving through the coating machine and text appears: The coating system offers a versatility of methods depending on the application]

[Camera zooms out a little on the slurry on the foil moving through the coating machine and text appears: Here’s how it works…]

[Image changes to show a worker pouring cathode paste into the coating machine and text appears: First we pour the cathode paste into the coater]

[Camera zooms in on the cathode paste forming a slurry in the coating machine and text appears: Where it forms a slurry]

[Image changes to show the coating machine again and the image shows the layer of slurry being spread onto a roll of foil and text appears: The slurry is then distributed in a thin later onto current-collector foil]

[Image changes to show a close-up of the black slurry on the foil moving slowly through the coating machine and text appears: We can create gaps in the coated panels which is important for high-energy battery production]

[Image changes to show more of the black slurry moving through the coating machine and the camera pans down to show the underside of the slurry and text appears: We can even coat double-sided potentially doubling a battery’s energy]

[Image changes to show a view looking down on the slurry on the foil moving through the dryer on the coating machine and text appears: The roll coater progresses the paste through the dryer to make the electrode]

[Camera pans in an anti-clockwise direction showing the foil and slurry feeding into the dryer]

[Image changes to show the slurry being wound onto a cylinder and text appears: Which is re-wound onto a cylinder ready for battery production]

[Image changes to show a female looking at a small package and text appears: Using our THANK METAL coating system we can rapidly prototype and scale up batteries]

[Image changes to show a German electric car filling station and text appears: For a range of applications]

[Image changes to show a drone in the air]

[Image changes to show a male and three females seated on a park bench looking at a computer screen and a tablet]

[Image changes to show the CSIRO logo on a blue screen and text appears: It’s another example of how CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology, Australia’s innovation catalyst]

Battery Cell Design and Prototyping

CSIRO’s expertise spans the full spectrum of battery cell development. We design, assemble and test coin cells and pouch cells, enabling rapid prototyping and performance validation.

Our facilities include:

  • electrochemical testing of cathode, anode and electrolyte materials using typical test equipment and the CSIRO developed FASTER robot.
  • prototyping capabilities for single and multilayer pouch cells up to 200 mm x 150 mm.
  • customisable cell architectures to suit diverse applications—from consumer electronics to industrial-commercial scale storage.

[Music plays and image shows the CSIRO logo and a view inside a metal cylinder. Text appears: FASTER high throughput robotic electrochemistry]

 

[Image shows a robotic arm, electronic equipment and gloves, and text appears: electrolyte delivery]

 

[Image shows the robotic arm moving forward, backward and sideways and text appears: electrolyte mixing]

 

[Image shows the robotic arm inserting a needle into the base area, and text appears: ready for the next sample]

 

[Text appears: What will you do FASTER?]

 

[CSIRO logo appears and text appears: Australia’s innovation catalyst]

We also collaborate with partners to develop modular battery systems and integrate cybersecure battery management technologies, with capabilities including:

  • power electronics design and prototyping.
  • battery Management Systems including both hardware and software.
  • system assembly and testing.

Manufacturing and industry collaboration

CSIRO’s Manufacturing Research Unit supports Australian companies in scaling battery technologies from lab to market. Our world-class infrastructure and engineering expertise enable:

  • prototyping and pilot-scale production of battery components and systems.
  • materials characterisation and performance optimisation.
  • commercialisation support through programs like SME Connect.

We work across sectors to deliver innovative, low-risk solutions that help manufacturers remain globally competitive and environmentally sustainable.

Work with us

We partner with small and large companies, government and industry in Australia and around the world. Explore how our science and technology can help your organisation.

Learn more