5 MIN Q&A With... NPL

1. Can you provide a brief description about who you are, what your company does?
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the UK’s national standards laboratory and plays a key role in reliable measurement, testing and validation of emerging technologies to provide greater confidence for decision makers, investors and regulators. Research within the Electrochemistry Group is focused on the development of in situ diagnostic techniques, modelling tools and standard test methods for electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices to support improvements in device performance, lifetime and safety, while reducing cost.

2. What makes your product/research special within your industry?
Our reputation for reliable and independent measurement sets us apart from other UK research institutions. We have access to a broad range of world-leading expertise in multidisciplinary measurement science, which we apply to the solution of real world engineering problems. We work with our partners in industry and academia on challenge-driven research for the benefit of UK citizens.
 
3. Why is it important to you to participate in a project like VALUABLE?
The VALUABLE project is important to NPL as it addresses the critical issue of how to deal with large numbers of high energy density batteries at the end of their service life in electric vehicles. NPL is committed to developing metrology solutions to this urgent problem. Participation in the project is also extending our network of connections in the electric vehicle sector, which is useful for our broader research and commercial activities.
 
4. What will be the best thing you achieve within this project?
In addition to the connections forged through our participation in the VALUABLE project, we aim to establish a prototype test protocol for rapid low cost screening of Li-ion batteries for second life applications, in collaboration with UCL. This will unblock a key technological bottleneck that is preventing the exploitation of a new market and supply chain within the UK.