Battery research at Fraunhofer ISI

Fraunhofer ISI has been active in the field of battery technologies for over ten years. The technological focus of our battery activities is on lithium-ion batteries. However, also alternative battery chemistries and systems that could reach market maturity in the next few years are continuously monitored and analysed.

Fraunhofer ISI's research questions in the field of batteries range from the evaluation of research and development of new battery technologies in the laboratory to suitable funding strategies, technology commercialisation, industrial production, usage phase and finally end-of-life treatment.

Market analysis and forecasts

The description and analysis of battery markets has been one of our major research areas for more than ten years. We not only track emerging markets, but also evaluate and forecast their future development with the help of our methodological toolbox.

We run a comprehensive database covering the entire LIB value chain from materials to applications and recycling. To maintain and improve our database, we continuously track supply chains and actor networks all the way down to regional sales markets for all major battery applications.

Our data basis allows us to address macro economic research questions concerning e.g. global resource availability or investment flows as well as to develop and benchmark business models targeting specific industries and market segments.

For more information, check our latest publications.

Technology roadmapping and benchmarking

New technologies and innovations are created at the interface between research and industry, which is exactly where we are at home. Thanks to our good networking in the European research scene and with many medium-sized and large international companies, we do not only succeed in picking up on technology trends, but also in evaluating them against application and market requirements at the same time.

We regularly organize technology- and application-specific expert workshops or apply our mathematical models to calculate the effects of technological developments or substitutes at the material, battery cell or system level.

Our technology roadmaps, which were developed within the framework of BMBF funding, can be found in the publications section.

Publications

  • Scan Online-Veröffentlichung Elsevier: A forecast on future raw material demand and recycling potential of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles

    A Roadmap for Solid-State Batteries 

    Solid-state batteries are considered as a reasonable further development of lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes. On the basis of an analysis of all materials and concept options, a roadmap for solid-state batteries is presented, relying on both literature survey and experts' opinions. Diverse cell concepts with different solid electrolytes may be developed up to the commercial level, yet there are still major uncertainties concerning production routes, safety as well as cost. As one of the key developments, it appears that hybrid material and cell concepts may be particularly successful on the way to commercialization.

    Umfeldbericht Natrium-Ionen-Batterien 2023: Status Quo und Perspektiven entlang einer zukünftigen Wertschöpfungskette
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Marius C. Merkel

    Background Report on Sodium-Ion Batteries 2023: Status Quo and Perspectives along a Future Value Chain 

    The "Background Report on Sodium-Ion Batteries 2023: Status Quo and Perspectives along a Future Value Chain" presents current technological developments and challenges on SIB from active materials to cell production and first applications. The report discusses in detail industrial developments in Europe and Asia and presents forecasts for SIB production and application markets. The study is a joint effort of Fraunhofer ISI, Fraunhofer IPT, Fraunhofer FFB and the PEM of RWTH Aachen University. (available in German only)

    Alternative Battery Technologies Roadmap 2030+
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Heyko Stöber

    Alternative Battery Technologies Roadmap 2030+

    The Roadmap on alternative battery technologies addresses potentials and challenges of alternative battery technologies. It evaluates promising metal-ion, metal-sulfur, metal-air and redox flow batteries based on technical, economic and ecologic aspects for the period until 2045. The roadmap shows: Alternative battery technologies do not offer the same comprehensive fit as lithium-ion batteries but they offer high potential, for example for more sustainability or lower costs and can complement or even replace lithium-ion batteries in certain applications. However, many of the technologies considered still have to overcome a number of challenges before they can enter the market or become widespread.

  • Alternative Battery Technologies Roadmap 2030+
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Heyko Stöber

    Alternative Battery Technologies Roadmap 2030+

    The Roadmap on alternative battery technologies addresses potentials and challenges of alternative battery technologies. It evaluates promising metal-ion, metal-sulfur, metal-air and redox flow batteries based on technical, economic and ecologic aspects for the period until 2045. The roadmap shows: Alternative battery technologies do not offer the same comprehensive fit as lithium-ion batteries but they offer high potential, for example for more sustainability or lower costs and can complement or even replace lithium-ion batteries in certain applications. However, many of the technologies considered still have to overcome a number of challenges before they can enter the market or become widespread.

    Energiespeicher-Roadmap 2017
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Heyko Stöber

    Solid-State Battery Roadmap 2035+

    The Solid-State Battery Roadmap 2035+ considers a wide range of aspects from the individual materials, components and cells through to their utilization. It critically evaluates existing research as well as the latest findings and compares the development potential of solid-state batteries over the next ten years with that of established lithium-ion batteries. The roadmap demonstrates that solid-state batteries have a lot of potential, but will have to prove their commercial viability in the next five years.

    Energiespeicher-Roadmap 2017
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Heyko Stöber

    Energy Storage Roadmap (update 2017) – High Energy Batteries 2030+ and Perspectives of Future Battery Technologies

    The Energy Storage Roadmap 2017 updates all roadmaps developed so far. It addresses the challenges for research and development (R&D) of high-energy batteries, for which cell production capacities are currently being massively expanded worldwide. In addition, long-term potentials for alternative battery technologies show whether and which technologies could enter the market beyond 2030. (available in German only)

    Gesamt-Roadmap Lithium-Ionen-Batterien 2030
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Heyko Stöber

    General Roadmap Lithium-Ion Batteries 2030

    The General Roadmap Lithium-Ionen Batteries 2030 updates and integrates the Technology and Product Roadmap published in 2010 and 2012. It provides a comprehensive overview of the status and development potential of lithium-ion batteries for electromobility and stationary applications and thus forms a bracket around the roadmaps "Energy Storage for Electromobility“ and “Stationary Energy Storage“, which are published in parallel. It outlines the expected developments in lithium-ion battery technology and alternative or competing energy storage solutions up to 2030 and highlights dependencies between technologies for electromobility and stationary applications. Long-term scenarios up to 2050 allow questions of raw material availability, the influence of technical progress of the lithium-ion battery as well as market changes to be considered in a model-based manner. (available in German only)

    Technologie-Roadmap Lithium-Ionen-Batterien 2030
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Heyko Stöber

    Technology Roadmap Lithium-Ion Batteries 2030

    In the Technology Roadmap Lithium-Ion Batteries 2030 from 2010, the technological developments of lithium-ion batteries from the material and component level to cell types as well as complementary and competing technologies were recorded and estimated for the period up to 2030. The roadmap has basically retained its validity in terms of statements and time periods up to 2015 and has now been made connectable and differentiated at system and application level. (available in German only)

    Produkt-Roadmap Lithium-Ion Batteries 2030
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Heyko Stöber

    Product Roadmap Lithium-Ion Batteries 2030

    The Lithium-Ion Battery Product Roadmap 2030 from 2012 shows the potential applications and specific requirements for lithium-ion batteries for a wide range of applications such as electric two-wheelers, hybrid or purely battery electric vehicles, vans, commercial vehicles or decentralised and centralised stationary applications. The roadmap is still valid and has now been quantified in terms of its range of applications with the “General Roadmap Lithium-Ion Batteries 2030“.

    Gesamt-Roadmap Energiespeicher für die Elektromobilität 2030
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Heyko Stöber

    General Roadmap Energy Storage for Electric Mobility 2030

    The General Roadmap Energy Storage for Electric Mobility 2030 updates and integrates the Technology and Product Roadmap published in 2010 and 2012. It provides a comprehensive overview of the status and development potential of lithium-ion batteries for electromobility and stationary applications and thus forms a bracket around the roadmaps “Energy Storage for Electromobility“ and “Stationary Energy Storage“, which are published in parallel. It outlines the expected developments in lithium-ion battery technology and alternative or competing energy storage solutions up to 2030 and highlights dependencies between technologies for electromobility and stationary applications. Long-term scenarios up to 2050 allow questions of raw material availability, the influence of technical progress of the lithium-ion battery as well as market changes to be considered in a model-based manner. (available in German only)

    Technologie-Roadmap Energiespeicher für die Elektromobilität 2030
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Heyko Stöber

    Technology Roadmap Energy Storage for Electric Mobility 2030

    The Technology Roadmap Energy Storage for Electromobilit 2030 from 2012 shows and quantifies essential development paths of future battery systems as well as their performance data and key parameters, in particular service life, quality and safety. The focus of the road map is on the consideration of central energy storage technologies that are considered promising for use in electric vehicles, more precisely plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV).

    Produkt-Roadmap Energiespeicher für die Elektromobilität 2030
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Heyko Stöber

    Product Roadmap Energy Storage for Electromobility 2030

    The Product Roadmap Energy Storage for Electromobility 2030 takes into account BEVs, PHEVs and HEVs, all of which are innovation drivers for the further development of the lithium-ion battery with the highest requirements, especially in terms of battery energy density and cost. BEVs represent by far the most important market for high-energy lithium-ion battery cells. Compared to today's mostly cost-optimised models, the roadmap shows a path for range-optimised and affordable electric mobility for the next 10 to 20 years. To this end, it also identifies and discusses the framework conditions that will promote and hinder this development during this period. (available in German only)

    Gesamt-Roadmap Stationäre Energiespeicher 2030
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Heyko Stöber

    General Roadmap Stationary Energy Storage 2030

    In the General Roadmap Stationary Energy Storage 2030  the technology offer from the Technology Roadmap is compared with selected applications or business models from the Product Roadmap in which the lithium-ion battery is currently used or can be used in the short to medium term. Compared to the reference technology used today, substitution scenarios are developed that show when an alternative technology can achieve an improvement over the respective status quo. The scenarios considered are (1.) decentralised, grid-connected PV battery systems for self-demand optimisation, (2.) multi-purpose self-demand optimisation with larger storage systems together with peak shaving, as well as (3.) direct marketing of renewable energies (on the generation or grid side, e.g. in island grids) and (4.) balancing power. The comparison of the technologies results in a differentiated picture in which very different technical solutions are attractive. (available in German only)

    Technologie-Roadmap Stationäre Energiespeicher 2030
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Heyko Stöber

    Technology Roadmap Stationary Energy Storage 2030

    Based on today's reference technologies, the Technology Roadmap Stationary Energy Storage 2030 looks at eight classes of storage sizes and typical charging and discharging times to see which alternative technology developments are likely by 2030. With regard to their properties, three technologies are evaluated at three different points in time (current, short-term and medium/long-term): the lead-acid battery as a reference, lithium-based batteries and redox-flow batteries. (available in German only)

    Produkt-Roadmap Stationäre Energiespeicher 2030
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Heyko Stöber

    Product Roadmap Stationary Energy Storage 2030

    The Product Roadmap Stationary Energy Storage 2030 deals with possible applications, products and business models for the technologies documented in the Technology Roadmap and subdivides them into the local (private, commercial owner-ship), distribution grid and transmission grid level. In addition, framework conditions are discussed that can promote or inhibit the demand for electrochemical energy storage. Based on three specific use cases, (1.) decentralised, grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) battery systems (on-grid PV) for self-demand optimisation, (2.) self-demand optimisation with larger storage units (campus/commercial/industrial) and (3.) industrial peak shaving, requirements for the performance parameters of a technical solution are identified. (available in German only)

  • Development_perspectives_for_ly_cell_formats
    © Fraunhofer ISI

    Development perspectives for lithium-ion battery cell formats

    Analysis of development potentials for LIB battery cell formats with respect to active materials, cell design, cell manufacturing and cell safety. Update 2022.

    Future Expert Needs in the Battery Sector – March 2021
    © EIT RawMaterials GmbH

    Future Expert Needs in the Battery Sector – March 2021

    Analysis of the demand for skilled workers by the fast growing European battery industry.

     
    Batteries for electric cars: Fact check and need for action
    © Fraunhofer ISI

    Batteries for electric cars: Fact check and need for action

    Summary and clarification of key issues or potential challenges in the market diffusion of battery electric vehicles.

    Entwicklungsperspektiven für Zellformate von Lithium-Ionen-Batterien in der Elektromobilität
    © Fraunhofer-Allianz Batterien

    Development Perspectives for Cell Formats of Lithium-Ion Batteries in Electromobility

    Analysis of development potentials or optimization possibilities of cylindric, pouch and prismatic cells. (available in German only)

    VDMA Roadmap Batterie-Produktionsmittel 2030 – Update 2023
    © VDMA Battery Production

    VDMA Roadmap Battery Production Equipment 20230 – Update 2023

    The VDMA Battery Production Equipment Roadmap 2030 addresses the further development of production technology. Since its initial publication in 2014, the roadmap has received worldwide attention, and many suggestions have been taken up and implemented. The goal-oriented dialog between battery producers, production research and the mechanical and plant engineering sector was continued, also including experience with foreign competence providers.

    VDMA Roadmap Batterie-Produktionsmittel 2030 – Update 2020
    © VDMA Batterieproduktion

    VDMA Roadmap Battery Production Equipment 2030 – Update 2020

    The VDMA Roadmap Battery Production Equipment 2030 addresses the further development of production technology. It discusses upcoming requirements for battery machine manufacturing and formulates approaches to solutions for mechanical and plant engineering. In a total of 14 technology chapters, red brick walls were identified and discussed according to the current state of technology.

    The roadmap builds on publications released in 2014, 2016 and 2018. (available in German only)

    VDMA Roadmap Battery Production Equipment 2030 – Update 2018
    © VDMA Battery Production

    VDMA Roadmap Battery Production Equipment 2030 – Update 2018

    The VDMA Battery Production Equipment Roadmap 2030 addresses the further development of production technology. It discusses future requirements for battery machine construction and formulates approaches to solutions for machine and plant construction.

    The roadmap builds on publications released in 2014 and 2016.

    VDMA Roadmap Battery Production Equipment 2030 – Update 2016
    © VDMA Battery Production

    VDMA Roadmap Battery Production Equipment 2030 – Update 2016

    The VDMA Battery Production Equipment Roadmap 2030 addresses the further development of production technology. It discusses future requirements for battery machine construction and formulates approaches to solutions for machine and plant construction.

  • Umfeldbericht Natrium-Ionen-Batterien 2023: Status Quo und Perspektiven entlang einer zukünftigen Wertschöpfungskette
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Marius C. Merkel

    Background Report on Sodium-Ion Batteries 2023: Status Quo and Perspectives along a Future Value Chain 

    The "Background Report on Sodium-Ion Batteries 2023: Status Quo and Perspectives along a Future Value Chain" presents current technological developments and challenges on SIB from active materials to cell production and first applications. The report discusses in detail industrial developments in Europe and Asia and presents forecasts for SIB production and application markets. The study is a joint effort of Fraunhofer ISI, Fraunhofer IPT, Fraunhofer FFB and the PEM of RWTH Aachen University. (available in German only)

    Umfeldbericht zum europäischen Innovationssystem Batterie 2022
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Marius C. Merkel

    Background report on the European battery innovation system 2022

    The background report provides an overview of the situation of three important industry groups in the battery innovation system in Europe: material manufacturing and recycling, mechanical and plant engineering, cell manufacturing. The report presents current challenges and compares the R&D offer of the Fraunhofer Research Fabrication Battery Cell FFB. (available in German only)

    Berichterstattung 2021 zum Gesetz zur Bevorrechtigung der Verwendung elektrisch betriebener Fahrzeuge (EmoG)

    Battery storage in power grids - Final report 2021

    Consentec; Fraunhofer ISI; Stiftung Umweltenergierecht (2022): Batteriespeicher in Netzen. Final Report on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). (available in German only)

    Berichterstattung 2021 zum Gesetz zur Bevorrechtigung der Verwendung elektrisch betriebener Fahrzeuge (EmoG)

    Reporting 2021 on the Law to Prioritize the Use of Electrically Powered Vehicles

    The Reporting on the Electric Mobility Act (Berichterstattung zum Elektromobilitätsgesetz) accompanies the “Law to prioritize the use of electrically powered vehicles” (Gesetz zur Bevorrechtigung der Verwendung elektrisch betriebener Fahrzeuge) – in short form Electric Mobility Act – enacted by the Federal Government of Germany. The report explains the background of the law, refers to the status quo of electric mobility in Germany and discusses the concrete implementation of the law as well as recommendations for the future. (available in German only)

    Energiespeicher-Monitoring 2018
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Heyko Stöber

    Energy Storage Monitoring 2018

    The Update of the 2018 Energy Storage Monitoring Study shows that China has become the leading supplier of batteries and the leading market for batteries as well as electric mobility between 2016 and 2018. (available in German only)

     

    Energiespeicher-Monitoring 2016
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Heyko Stöber

    Energy Storage Monitoring 2016

    The Energy Storage Monitoring-Update 2016 comprises 30 individual indicators distributed across the categories of demand, market structures, industry, and research and technology. The Energy Storage Monitoring 2016 is therefore directly comparable with the Energy Storage Monitoring 2014. (available in German only)

    Energiespeicher-Monitoring 2014
    © Fraunhofer ISI / Heyko Stöber

    Energy Storage Monitoring 2014

    The Energy Storage Monitoring 2014 comprises 30 individual indicators distributed across the categories of demand, market structures, industry as well as research and technology. (available in German only)

  • Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries: Opportunities and Challenges for Mechanical and Plant Engineering
    © IMPULS-Stiftung

    Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries

    The present study Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries: Opportunities and Challenges for Mechanical and Plant Engineering aims to quantify these secondary effects of a European recycling industry. To this end, a Fraunhofer ISI market model was used to derive forecasts for the growth of a European battery recycling market. The effects for mechanical and plant engineering were quantified on the basis of interview results with battery recycling and plant experts.

    VDMA Roadmap Batterie-Produktionsmittel 2030 – Update 2016
    © Agora Verkehrswende

    Battery Location on a Climate Course

    The content focuses on the “Prospects for climate-neutral battery production for electromobility in Germany“. Despite the poor availability of data, an attempt is made to provide as comprehensive as possible a picture of the production processes involved in cell manufacture. (available in German only)

  • Scan Online-Veröffentlichung Elsevier: A forecast on future raw material demand and recycling potential of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles

    A Roadmap for Solid-State Batteries 

    Solid-state batteries are considered as a reasonable further development of lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes. On the basis of an analysis of all materials and concept options, a roadmap for solid-state batteries is presented, relying on both literature survey and experts' opinions. Diverse cell concepts with different solid electrolytes may be developed up to the commercial level, yet there are still major uncertainties concerning production routes, safety as well as cost. As one of the key developments, it appears that hybrid material and cell concepts may be particularly successful on the way to commercialization.

    Scan Online-Veröffentlichung Elsevier: A forecast on future raw material demand and recycling potential of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles

    A forecast on future raw material demand and recycling potential of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles

    The study focuses on the future demand for electric vehicle battery cathode raw materials lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese by considering different technology and growth scenarios. Depending on the growth and technology scenario, the future demand for lithium and cobalt exceeds today's production by up to 8 times in 2040. Nickel exceeds today's production in one scenario. For manganese, future demand in 2040 remains far below today's production.

    Trends in Automotive Battery Cell Design: A Statistical Analysis of Empirical Data

    The study describes design trends in Li-ion batteries from the pack to the electrode level based on empirical data, including pack energy, cell capacity, outer cell dimensions and formats, energy density, specific energy, and electrode properties, such as active material selection, porosities, and component thicknesses. Market share-weighted findings imply several trends, such as (1) increasing cell dimensions, with the longest cells reaching 500 mm (pouch) and almost 1000 mm (prismatic) in 2021, (2) increasing differentiation between either high-energy or low-cost cathode and anode materials, and (3) increasing cell energy, equivalent to gaining about 100% (energy density) and 70% (specific energy) compared to the 2010 and 2021 averages.

Projects and references

Our customers include national and international companies from the fields of materials and component manufacturing, plant engineering, cell production, battery application and recycling.

Within the framework of publicly funded research projects, we work for federal ministries such as the Federal Ministry of Education and Research BMBF, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action BMWK, Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure BMVI or for bodies of the European Commission.

Press and media appearances

Battery Update

In the Battery Update, researchers from Fraunhofer ISI discuss current debates and issues related to battery research, production and development. Along the entire battery value chain, i.e. from raw materials, components, the battery cell, battery markets and recycling, relevant topics are adressed and critically discussed.

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  • Spot market price development for Co, Li2CO3 and LiOH as well as number of publicly announced supply contract conclusions.
    © Fraunhofer ISI

    Prices for key battery raw materials have been subject to enormous fluctuations over the past two years, putting an end, at least temporarily, to the trend of falling battery cell costs. In its Battery Update, Fraunhofer ISI points out which role the design of supply contracts plays in pricing and how the changes in raw material prices affect the costs of different lithium-ion battery technologies.

    more info
  • Global battery production with LFP and NMC/NCA cathode material between 2022 and 2030
    © Fraunhofer ISI

    The cathode is a central component of a lithium-ion battery cell and significantly influences its cost, energy density, i.e. relative storage capacity, and safety. Two materials currently dominate the choice of cathode active materials for lithium-ion batteries: lithium iron phosphate (LFP), which is relatively inexpensive, and nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) or nickel-cobalt-alumina (NCA), which are convincing on the market due to their higher energy density, i.e. their ability to store electrical energy. Our analysis shows where in the world how much of which cathode material will be used in battery production and by when.

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  • Open-source database for lithium-ion batteries released

    by Steffen Link / March 07, 2023

    The "BetterBat" research project has released an open-source database of over 300 lithium-ion battery cells from various manufacturers, with continuous updates. It allows industry and research institutions to benchmark battery cells and determine their suitability for various applications.

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  • Anteile der weltweiten Produktion von Anoden, Kathoden, Elektrolyt und Separatoren
    © Fraunhofer ISI

    It is well known that a large part of battery cell production takes place in Asia, more precisely in China, Korea and Japan. However, it is often overlooked that this market dominance is even more pronounced in the prefabricated production steps of battery manufacturing. More than 90 percent of the main starting materials of a battery cell (i.e. anode, cathode, separator and electrolyte) come from these three countries.

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  • Quantity scenarios of lithium-ion batteries for recycling and their origin / 2023

    Recycling of lithium-ion batteries will increase strongly in Europe

    by Dr. Thomas Schmaltz / January 19, 2023

    © Fraunhofer ISI

    Currently, about 50 kilotons of spent batteries are recycled annually in Europe. The quantity of batteries to be recycled will increase continuously in the coming years - and the origin of these batteries will also change.

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  • Distribution of battery cell production capacities announced for 2030 in Europe among European and non-European manufacturers
    © Fraunhofer ISI

    In recent years, a large number of battery cell factories have been announced in Europe and the momentum is still not slowing down. Just recently, new plans by two Chinese cell manufacturers (CALB in Portugal and CATL in Hungary) have increased the total maximum cell production capacity announced in Europe - i.e. the total capacity of battery cells that would be produced if all the announced factories were built on the announced schedule and operated at maximum capacity - to up to 1.7 TWh by 2030.

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  • Development perspectives for lithium-ion battery cell formats

    by Dr. Christoph Neef / December 13, 2022

    © Fraunhofer ISI

    The Fraunhofer Institutes ICT, IPA, ISI and the Fraunhofer research institution FFB have presented a study on the development of lithium-ion battery cell formats. It looks at the most important trends in battery chemistry, cell formats, cell production and safety and compares them with the requirements of various battery applications. Special attention is paid to the announcements of the automotive manufacturers, e.g. on large-format cells.

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