Next Generation Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries have since 2010 doubled in energy density and become 90%(!) cheaper by R&D advances and following Wright’s law.

Today 350 GWh/y are produced, by 2030 2 TWh/y, but this development cannot be sustained forever.Next generation batteries (NGBs) offer possibilities for new applications and actors by advances in energy and power performance.

They also improve the sustainability, ultimately a must for a circular economy and to provide clean(er) energy to all.Any leap-frog NGB breakthrough will be based on ideas and concepts enabled by fundamental science at the materials level.

A proper understanding of application demands is also vital, but to be curiosity driven is more important for NGB research.This grant will allow us to long-term expand our NGB activities with a new environment.

Unique experimental and computational excellence allow us to apply concrete technical performance KPIs hand-in-hand with the aim of proper fundamental understanding.

This will reveal the underlying mechanisms and possibilities and limitations for a wide range of NGBs.The scientific aims are to develop semi-solid electrolytes, to enable safe and reliable use of metal anodes; investigate the role of entropy for structure, dynamics, and interfacial properties, both for electrodes and electrolytes; and create full cells using organic cathodes, to improve charge transfer in multivalent NGBs and reduce mining and cost, as well as to enable “low-tech” aqueous NGBs.