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PLUS-LIBER
Company
Oct 9, 2026
PLUS-LIBER: Higher Energy Density and Better Thermal Performance in Lithium-Ion Batteries
PLUS-LIBER receives funding through Schleswig-Holstein’s State Programme for Business 2021–2027, with support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Lithium-ion batteries are essential to the energy transition. As demand grows for electric mobility and other energy-intensive applications, battery technology needs to deliver more energy without compromising safety or performance. That means making better use of the space inside each cell while keeping heat under control. That’s the challenge behind PLUS-LIBER, a research project bringing UniverCell and Kiel University (CAU) together to develop improved 21700 lithium-ion cells. The aim is to increase energy density while improving how the cells handle heat.
What is PLUS-LIBER aiming to achieve?
The project focuses on the 21700 cell, a cylindrical lithium-ion cell measuring 21 mm in diameter and 70 mm in length. The goal is to store more energy in the same amount of space while maintaining a high level of safety and a long service life. To get there, the project is looking at both the materials used inside the cell and the way the cell itself is designed.
These are the main priorities:
- Increasing energy density and extending cell service life
- Improving thermal performance
- Developing and validating a thermal model to guide cell design and optimization
- From Lab Testing to Better Cell Design
Before a cell can be improved, it’s important to understand exactly how it behaves under different operating conditions. The project therefore begins with detailed thermal testing of existing cells, examining how they heat up during operation and what drives that heat generation.
Kiel University will use the test results to build computer models that simulate the cells’ thermal behaviour. These simulations will then be checked against experimental data and refined until the models can reliably represent real-world performance.
This makes it possible to explore different cell designs virtually before committing to costly physical tests. Engineers can compare potential designs and assess several factors at once, including energy density, heat generation and service life.
The most promising designs will then move from simulation to production. UniverCell will manufacture prototype cells and put them through testing under real-world conditions. The existing production line will also be adapted to support this work.
By combining computer modelling, laboratory testing and industrial manufacturing, PLUS-LIBER aims to turn research findings into practical improvements in battery design.
What Does Success Look Like?
The project aims to deliver an optimized 21700 cell design that stores more energy while managing heat effectively. The findings will help inform the development of more powerful and efficient lithium-ion cells for future applications.
The benefits could also extend beyond the technology itself. By putting the knowledge gained through the project to use in Schleswig-Holstein, PLUS-LIBER supports local innovation and strengthens the link between research and industry. It is another step towards better battery technology, a more sustainable energy system and lower CO₂ emissions.