Materials

In commercial batteries, a carbon-containing material (e.g. synthetic graphite) and a lithium metal oxide are usually used for the two differently charged electrodes, while a conductive lithium salt - dissolved in a mixture of organic solvents - serves as the electrolyte.

The Research Field

The aim of the materials research field is to identify new materials with potentially higher energy densities that are safe and can be produced at lower costs. In addition, these should enable rapid charging and discharging over many cycles. A new development or optimization of both the electrode and the electrolyte materials is necessary.

In order to achieve high energy and power densities, the members of the group research to minimize or completely eliminate undesired chemical reactions at the interface between electrode and electrolyte. The development of suitable syntheses is in the foreground for the new materials, since the process control has a strong influence on the technical properties of a material, e.g. the charging cycle stability.

Another focus in this research field is the development of completely new battery concepts (e.g. magnesium battery). These have the potential to achieve significantly higher storage capacities than all previously known concepts.

Research Groups at HIU

Prof. Dr. Helmut Ehrenberg Nanoscale Hybrid Materials The research group "Nanoscale Hybrid Materials" is working on the development of nanoscale functional materials for lithium-ion batteries. View research group

Prof. Dr. Dominic Bresser Electrochemical Energy Storage Materials The group "Electrochemical Energy Storage Materials" researches a variety of materials and technologies for electrochemical energy storages. The group tries to create a fundamental understanding of the electrochemical reactions and mechanisms. View research group

Prof. Dr. Maximilian Fichtner Solid-State Chemistry The research group Solid State Chemistry is concerned with the newest battery systems to follow today's lithium-ion battery. It develops and studies new materials to be used in electrochemical energy storage units of the next generation and subsequently. View research group

Prof. Dr. Birgit Esser EsserLab: Organic Functional Materials The research group is interested in functional organic molecules and materials. They focus on their synthesis and application. Their main topics include investigating organic-based batteries, strained ring systems and photocatalysis. View research group

Prof. Dr. Birgit Esser Organic Functional Materials The research group of Prof. Dr. Birgit Esser focuses on functional organic molecules and materials. The main topics are organic-based batteries, strained ring systems (chemical rings with high ring strain), and photocatalysis (chemical reactions driven by light in the presence of a catalyst). View research group

Contact Person

Prof. Dr. Maximilian Fichtner

Direktor des Helmholtz-Instituts Ulm (HIU)

Direktor von CELEST
Sprecher Exzellenzcluster POLiS

Forschungsgruppe
Solid-State Chemistry

Tel: +49 (0731) 50 34201
Fax: +49 (0721) 608 25340
Email: m.fichtner@kit.edu

Katja Vetter

Office Prof. Dr. Maximilian Fichtner

Tel: +49 (0731) 50 34020

Mail: katja.vetter@kit.edu

Forschung Forschungsgruppen Forschungsthemen

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