Enabling Next-Generation Silicon Nanowire Anodes for High-Energy Li-Ion Batteries

SiGNE (Composite Silicon Nanowire on Graphite Anodes with Ni-Rich Cathodes and Safe Ether-based Electrolytes) is a large-scale research and innovation initiative funded by the €8 million Horizon Europe program. The project’s ambitious goal is to revolutionize lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology for electric vehicles (EVs) by delivering:

• ✅ +50% increase in energy density (gravimetric and volumetric)
• ✅ +300% increase in power density
• ✅ Fast charging and extended cycle life
• ✅ Cost competitiveness and long-term reusability
• ✅ Minimal environmental impact across the battery lifecycle

These advances will make it possible to extend the EV driving range from 540 km to over 810 km, rivaling internal combustion engine vehicles — without increasing battery size.

Led by the University of Limerick, SiGNE unites 16 partners from 8 European countries (Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Poland, Ukraine, Latvia), including major industry players like Ferrari, Stellantis, SVOLT, Analog Devices, and leading research institutes.

TMEC’s Role: Pioneering Silicon Nanowire Reactor Design

In the SiGNE project, TMEC plays a central role as a full technology partner, responsible for designing and delivering innovative synthesis reactors for silicon nanowires (SiNWs) — a core component of the new high-capacity anodes.

Our work addresses critical technical challenges:

🧪 Precursor Handling and Powder Pre-treatment
We engineer controlled procedures for vacuum processing and material preparation to maintain purity, morphology, and reaction stability.

🔥 Thermal Process Engineering
We develop specialized thermal modes to support the unique conditions required for vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) growth of SiNWs, ensuring consistency and reproducibility.

⚙️ Reactor Design and Scale-Up
TMEC is tasked with building a reactor system that can evolve from small-scale synthesis (10 g per run) to pilot-scale (1 kg per run) — considering both batch and continuous operation modes. Each scale requires precise control of temperature, gas flow, and precursor supply, tailored to the advanced synthesis route proposed by our project partners.

📈 Current Status

• ✅ First-generation 10 g reactor: fully developed and validated
• ✅ Second-generation 100 g reactor: fabrication completed, testing and commissioning underway
• 🔄 Ongoing development: work towards 1 kg-scale system is in progress, with continuous feedback integration from material performance results

Driving Innovation Through Engineering

At TMEC, we combine advanced process engineering with deep understanding of material science and high-temperature reactor design. Our contribution to SiGNE is not just delivering equipment — it is enabling a scalable, controllable, and repeatable platform for the production of next-generation silicon-based anodes.

The success of SiGNE depends on the ability to bridge innovative materials research with industrial-scale manufacturing. This is where TMEC delivers.