July 21st, 2026
She is working on solutions to a key question for the future: Professor Birgit Esser, spokesperson for the POLiS Cluster of Excellence and HIU research group leader, has been honored with the 2026 Science Award of the City of Ulm for her scientific excellence. The award was presented on Schwörmontag by Ulm’s Lord Mayor Martin Ansbacher.
Electrochemical energy storage is a key technology for a successful energy transition and is therefore highly relevant to society. For her outstanding research on sustainable battery materials and her science communication, Birgit Esser, chemist and professor at Ulm University, has now received the City of Ulm’s Science Award, endowed with 7,500 euros. The award was presented by Lord Mayor Martin Ansbacher on Monday, July 20, 2026, at the Schwörfeier ceremony.
Birgit Esser combines expertise in synthetic chemistry with know-how in the field of organic battery electrode materials. With her holistic approach, Esser aims to close the gap between basic research and its application. “Professor Esser is one of the defining scientists in her field,” Mayor Martin Ansbacher quoted from the award certificate at the Weinhof. “Her research combines scientific originality with high societal relevance.”
“Our shared goal is to find forward-looking solutions that make sense both economically and ecologically,” says Esser. “What excites me about organic electrode materials is the whole journey: it starts with targeted molecular design, which lets us control how a material takes up or releases electrons and how it behaves electrochemically,” the scientist explains. “Building on that, we want to understand exactly how these materials work — for example, how ions, meaning electrically charged particles, move through the material. We are currently researching this very intensively. In the end, it comes down to the concrete application: using these materials in battery cells.”
As founding director of the CELEST Green Energy Lab, which aims to establish a reference laboratory for electrochemical energy storage beyond lithium, Esser’s influence extends far beyond her own discipline, bringing together science, early-career support, and institutional development. The certificate text further states that she stands for international visibility, scientific excellence, and strategic development work, and that her work strengthens Ulm as a center of science in a special way.
University President Professor Michael Weber praised the award winner: “We are proud that one of the most renowned scientists in this demanding field is conducting research at Ulm University. Birgit Esser has played a major part in ensuring that Ulm, as a center of German battery research, continues to break new ground and remains internationally at the top. We are delighted that she is being honored with the 2026 Science Award.”
More about Prof. Dr. Birgit Esser
Chemist Birgit Esser was appointed professor of Organic Chemistry in Ulm in 2022, coming from the University of Freiburg. She is the spokesperson for the Ulm site of POLiS, Germany’s only battery Cluster of Excellence, which entered its second funding period in 2025. She has headed the Institute of Organic Chemistry II and New Materials since 2024; in 2023, Esser secured a Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council (ERC) worth two million euros. Esser is also a member of the CELEST research platform and a research group leader at the Helmholtz Institute Ulm. She studied and earned her doctorate in Heidelberg and conducted research at the University of Bonn and at MIT in the USA.
About the City of Ulm’s Science Award
Every two years, the City of Ulm awards its Science Award, endowed with a total of 15,000 euros, for outstanding scientific achievements by individuals, research groups, or working groups. It traditionally goes half to researchers from Ulm University and half to those from Ulm University of Applied Sciences (Technische Hochschule Ulm). The Science Award is granted by Ulm’s City Council based on the preliminary decision of a jury that includes representatives from the University, the Technische Hochschule Ulm, and members of the City Council.
Further information:
Prof. Dr. Birgit Esser, Institute of Organic Chemistry II and New Materials, Email: birgit.esser(at)uni-ulm.de
Image source: Christine Liebhardt / Uni Ulm
July 6th, 2026
Investments in research are investments in our future — but only a concrete market perspective helps bring scientific findings into application more quickly. That is exactly why the NEULAND Idea Competition was launched at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). It recognizes projects that promise particular benefits for industrial application.
We are delighted that Unho Jung and Dominik Steinle from the Helmholtz Institute Ulm have received one of the coveted NEULAND Awards 2026 for their project PolySafeBatt.
PolySafeBatt is developing a new generation of polymer-based lithium metal batteries. At its core is a high-voltage semi-solid-state polymer battery platform that combines three key advantages:
The heart of the technology lies in polymer electrolytes which, unlike conventional liquid electrolytes, cannot leak — a decisive safety advantage. At the same time, they are compatible with high-energy cathode materials as well as with lithium metal anodes, which enable particularly high energy densities. This means the platform combines two properties that are often in conflict in battery research: maximum safety and maximum performance.
The more energy a battery stores, the higher the safety requirements typically become. Conventional lithium-ion cells with liquid electrolyte carry a certain risk when damaged or overloaded — for example, through leaking or flammable electrolytes. Semi-solid-state and polymer systems like PolySafeBatt’s address this directly: they structurally reduce this risk without having to sacrifice high energy density.
This makes the technology especially interesting for areas where batteries are used close to humans or under demanding operating conditions.
The platform is specifically designed for battery systems that are sensitive to both safety and energy density requirements. Key application areas include:
The robotics sector in particular is growing rapidly and places new demands on energy storage: compact design, high power density, and maximum operational safety must all be met simultaneously. With its flexible form-factor concept, the PolySafeBatt platform addresses exactly these requirements.
KIT’s NEULAND Idea Competition recognizes research projects that bring concrete industrial application potential beyond their academic relevance. The fact that PolySafeBatt was honored with one of the coveted 2026 awards underscores this material platform’s potential to make the leap from basic research to industrial application.
For the Helmholtz Institute Ulm, this award is further proof of how closely materials research and application perspective are integrated at our institute.
Would you like to find out more about what the PolySafeBatt high-voltage semi-solid-state polymer battery platform looks like and how it works in detail? Feel free to get in touch with us — we welcome your interest and the exchange with industry and research.
Congratulations to Unho Jung and Dominik Steinle on the NEULAND Award 2026!
Foto: Dominik Steinle and Unho Jung at Helmholtz Institute Ulm
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Anna Sophia Boden
Press Officer
sophia.boden@kit.edu
June 24th, 2026
HIU Director Prof. Dr. Maximilian Fichtner at the IdeenExpo Talk with Ranga Yogeshwar: Battery Research Reaches a Broad Audience
On 23 June 2026, Prof. Dr. Maximilian Fichtner, Director of the Helmholtz Institute Ulm for Electrochemical Energy Storage (HIU), took part as a guest in the IdeenExpo talk series “Yes, we can!”. Under the title “From Yesterday to Tomorrow – How Can We Navigate Transformation?”, science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar moderated a discussion with guests from science, business, energy supply and space travel about the conditions needed for successful change — among them, alongside Fichtner, astronaut Rabea Rogge, cardiac surgeon Prof. Dr. Axel Haverich, and representatives of regional energy providers.
The venue was the UNESCO World Heritage Site Fagus-Werk in Alfeld — a symbolically charged setting for a conversation about change and new beginnings. The central themes of the evening were the major transitions of our time: how Germany can successfully shape change in energy, technology, science and infrastructure, and what conditions are needed to bring innovations into practice more quickly.
Invitations such as this one underline how central the HIU’s work is to questions of societal relevance. Battery technology and electrochemical energy storage are not abstract laboratory science — they are key technologies for the energy transition, tomorrow’s mobility, and the energy security of entire regions.
IdeenExpo is considered Europe’s largest technology and innovation festival for young people. From 20 to 28 June 2026, more than 330 exhibitors present over 800 hands-on exhibits across 14 themed areas at the Hannover exhibition grounds, with free admission on all event days. The fact that the talk series deliberately takes place outside the exhibition grounds — bringing figures like Fichtner into dialogue with business and society — sends a clear message: cutting-edge research belongs in the public conversation.
Foto: (c) iserundschmidt GmbH
Anna Sophia Boden
Press Officer
sophia.boden@kit.edu
April 24th, 2026
Battery versus hydrogen. Simulation versus experiment. Excellence Initiative versus Excellence Strategy.
Energy storage research encompasses a wide range of perspectives. In April 2026, the Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes (German Academic Scholarship Foundation) visited the HIU as part of their Alumni Summer Academy and gained fascinating insights into the research questions and findings at the Helmholtz Institute Ulm. The programme ranged from a scientific lecture by Prof. Dr. Axel Groß, founding member and research group leader at the HIU, to a laboratory tour led by research group leader Dr. Simon Fleischmann.
The engaged group from the German Academic Scholarship Foundation was not only introduced to the history of the HIU during their visit, but also to the scientific questions being explored at the institute. Lithium-ion batteries remain a true marvel of technology — but they are facing growing sustainable competition. Research into alternatives that are more powerful, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly than current lithium-ion batteries is being conducted in particular within the Excellence Cluster POLiS.
Through visits for an interdisciplinary and curious audience, the Helmholtz Institute Ulm promotes the transfer of science into broader society — because research only unfolds its full impact when it is understood and supported.
We extend our sincere thanks for the interest shown by the German Academic Scholarship Foundation.
Anna Sophia Boden
Press Officer
sophia.boden@kit.edu
April 7th, 2026
Is our power supply secure even during blackouts?
What role could batteries play in this context?
In search of answers, Harald Lesch finds them at the Helmholtz Institute Ulm. Prof. Dr. Maximilian Fichtner, Managing Director of HIU, provides insights into future energy solutions in the new Terra X documentary “Blackout — How secure is our power supply?” (Terra X from April 7th, 2026, starting at 9:06 in the video). A longer interview is available that touches also other aspects of electrochemical energy storage.
February 18th, 2026
Four funded projects strengthen research infrastructures in production engineering, climate research, battery recycling, and quantum communication.
In the current competition held by the state of Baden-Württemberg for funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has achieved exceptional success. KIT has secured a total of €5,855,000 for three projects as applicant and one as partner. The funds will be used for the targeted expansion of modern research infrastructures in strategic fields of the future.
As the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts of Baden-Württemberg announced on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the state is providing a total of €12.6 million in ERDF funding for new research platforms at state universities. KIT will receive a significant share of this funding, approximately €5.8 million.
“Modern research infrastructures are essential for transforming scientific knowledge into concrete solutions,” says Professor Anke-Susanne Müller, Vice Provost for Research Infrastructures at KIT. “As ‘The University in the Helmholtz Association,’ we combine basic research and application – the ERDF funding strengthens us precisely where we translate excellence into societal and technological impact.”
Overview of the funded projects
At the Innovation Campus Mobility of the Future, KIT and the University of Stuttgart are developing a scalable laser technology platform called ModuLaF (Modular AI-supported Laser Technology Platform for Autonomous, Flexible, and Resilient Manufacturing). The modular systems at both locations are networked into a comprehensive hardware and software system. Integrated sensors and AI algorithms control additive, joining, and separating processes in a self-optimizing, real-time manner. “We are creating a unique research platform for autonomous laser material processing. The cross-site networking with AI-supported process intelligence enables resilient, flexible production systems and strengthens the technological competitiveness of Baden-Württemberg and Europe,” says Professor Frederik Zanger from the wbk Institute of Production Engineering at KIT.
At the Innovation Campus for Sustainability, 4SURE (Smart Sensor System for Sustainable Urban Regions) is being developed as a dense urban measurement network for climate resilience and transformation research. In Karlsruhe, Freiburg, and other municipalities in Baden-Württemberg, high-resolution sensors are recording extreme events such as heat, drought, and heavy rainfall in real time, as well as their impacts on people, trees, and infrastructure. “With 4SURE, we are creating a data foundation for sustainable and equitable urban development in collaboration with the University of Freiburg,” says Professor Jan Cermak from the Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research – Atmospheric Trace Gases and Remote Sensing at KIT.
Another funded project is located at the Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage Ulm & Karlsruhe (CELEST). The CERL project (CELEST Circular Economy Recycling Lab) is developing a research infrastructure for closed-loop material cycles in battery technology. The goal is to develop innovative recycling processes for lithium and post-lithium systems so that materials can be efficiently recovered at the end of their life cycle and reused in batteries. Looking ahead, the insights gained will also be used to explore “Design for Circularity” approaches – that is, battery concepts designed for recyclability from the outset.
Within the QuantumBW Innovation Campus, KIT is also a partner in the QuantumBW.Net project. The goal of this collaboration between the University of Stuttgart, the University of Ulm, and KIT is to enable quantum-safe communication and quantum-specific functionalities in real-world networks – an important step towards a quantum internet. “With the large-scale QuantumBW.Net facility, we are connecting local test sites to form a cross-site quantum network between Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, and Ulm for the first time,” explains Professor David Hunger from the Physics Institute at KIT. “This opens up new development and application scenarios for quantum-safe communication – with the long-term goal of a nationwide network.”
Funding by the European Regional Development Fund
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) promotes innovation, growth, and employment in Europe. In Baden-Württemberg, the focus is on strategic technologies within the framework of the EU’s Strategic Technologies for Europe (STEP) initiative.
With ERDF funding, the state invests specifically in key technologies and modern large-scale equipment and technology platforms. The new research infrastructures are accessible to the respective innovation ecosystems and thus strengthen the competitiveness of Baden-Württemberg as a science and technology hub.
https://www.kit.edu/kit/pi_2026_012_5-8-millionen-euro-aus-efre-fonds-fur-das-kit.php
Justus Hartlieb
Press Officer
Tel.: +49 721 608-41155
justus.hartlieb@kit.edu
January 14, 2026
Ulm City Council Visits Helmholtz Institute Ulm: Insights into the Energy Storage of the Future
Today, the members of the Ulm City Council visited the Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU) to learn firsthand about current developments in energy storage. Mayor Martin Ansbacher and Deputy Mayors Martin Bendel, Iris Mann, and Tim von Winning accepted the invitation to the renowned research institute.
HIU Director Professor Dr. Maximilian Fichtner opened the visit with a presentation entitled “Energy Storage of the Future – Hydrogen, E-Fuels, Batteries.” In his presentation, he highlighted key challenges and opportunities presented by modern energy storage technologies and demonstrated the role of battery research in ensuring a sustainable energy supply. The Ulm City Council members showed great interest in the subsequent discussion, engaging in a lively exchange about the presented technologies, their potential applications, and the significance of the HIU for Ulm as a center of science and innovation.
The local politicians showed particular interest in the discussion surrounding electric vehicles in urban areas. Job security at German automotive manufacturers and the impact of technological change on Ulm as a business location were also key topics of discussion.
The visit concluded with a tour of the institute’s laboratories. Guests gained detailed insights into the technical equipment, the research and analysis methods used, and the facilities at the HIU. The tour provided a vivid impression of the cutting-edge research being conducted in Ulm.
The visit underscored the close ties between city government and academia and highlighted the HIU’s contribution to the region’s future viability in the field of energy storage and battery technology.
All slides to Fichtner’s prsentation: https://hiu-batteries.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Presentation-Batterieforschung-Ulm_260114-2.pdf
October 22, 2025
Battery researcher Prof. Dr. Maximilian Fichtner, director of the Helmholtz Institute Ulm, has been awarded the 2025 International Dr. Barbara Mez-Starck Prize. The award ceremony took place on October 21, 2025, at the Dr. Barbara Mez-Starck House at Ulm University.
The Dr. Barbara Mez-Starck Foundation awards the prize to recognize outstanding scientific achievements in the fields of chemistry and physics. This year, for the first time, the prize is endowed with €25,000 – a clear signal from the foundation to further strengthen basic research at Ulm University.
In his laudatory speech, Prof. Dr. Axel Groß highlighted Fichtner’s pioneering contributions to battery research: “Maximilian Fichtner has significantly advanced the development of batteries beyond lithium and demonstrated new approaches in the field of multivalent systems. His work makes a substantial contribution to the understanding of electrochemical energy storage.”
In addition to his scientific excellence, the foundation also emphasized Fichtner’s commitment to science communication. Through lectures, media appearances, and numerous contributions to the Geladen podcast, he helps make complex topics such as energy storage and sustainable technologies accessible to a broad public.
In his acceptance speech, Fichtner underscored the importance of curiosity and collaboration in research: “Research success is always teamwork. This prize honors not only me, but also all my colleagues who work daily on the future of sustainable energy systems.”
The award ceremony was part of a celebratory event that began with the unveiling of an artwork in honor of Dr. Barbara Mez-Starck. The sculpture by Frankfurt artist Jasper Bamberger reflects the founder’s life’s work—the renowned Starck catalog—and addresses the human drive to acquire and share knowledge.
October 7, 2025
Quantum & Space Day on October 7, 2025 (3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
Ulm’s quantum year “quant.ulm.2025,” under the patronage of Mayor Martin Ansbacher, culminates in the “Ulm Quantum Festival” from October 6 to 12. The event at the Stadthaus (city hall) offers a broad program focusing on the current state of research into microparticles. An art exhibition and a concert approaching quantum physics from a different perspective round out the program.
Admission to both events is free – only tickets are required for the concert on Saturday.
HIU researchers will also be participating: The DLR research group led by Prof. Dr. Birger Horstmann will also be participating on the Ulm Quantum & Space Day on October 7. The research group aims to raise awareness among the public about the important role quantum processes play in batteries.
Information at a glance:
The DLR Quantum & Space Day will take place as part of the Quantum Week/Quantum Festival at the Ulm City Hall. The event is open to the public from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. It will feature lectures as well as hands-on experiments and discussions with scientists from the Institute of Quantum Technologies. This will provide a family-friendly and diverse program focused on quantum physics and space.
https://www.ulm.de/leben-in-ulm/digitale-stadt/q25_programm
https://event.dlr.de/event/dlr-quantum-space-day/
August 24, 2025
HighMag – High-energy, low-cost and scalable generation 5 magnesium-based batteries for mobility applications and beyond –
“HighMag” is funded though the EU’s HORIZON-CL5-2024-D2-02- call and has been granted 5 million euro to comprehensively advance all aspects of the development of rechargeable magnesium batteries. The “HighMag” consortium is coordinated by the “Austrian Institute for Technology” (AIT) and consists of 13 Partners from academia and industry from EU- and non-EU countries (Austria, Finland, France, Germany & Poland, Israel, UK, and Switzerland).
As part of the project, HIU’s research group “Solid-State Chemistry” led by Prof. Maximilian Fichtner has taken on the task to develop improved electrolytes for rechargeable magnesium batteries (DOI: 10.1002/chem.202402754).
One of our goals is to improve the performance of the established electrolyte that contains a highly fluorinated organic magnesium salt (DOI: 10.1021/acsenergylett.8b01061, DOI: 10.1039/C7TA02237A, DOI: 10.1016/j.ensm.2021.11.012) through inorganic additives (DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c07648) and alternative (co-) solvents.
The farther reaching objective is to develop an electrolyte free of fluorinated hydrocarbons. The use of such compounds, also known as PFAS[a] (Per- and PolyFluoroAlkyl-Substances), in consumer goods and materials is increasingly regarded as problematic due to the extremely long persistence of these compounds in the environment and the toxicity of their degradation products. More environmentally benign materials that provide a similar performance are therefore highly sought after.
Further information:
To stay up to date on the progress of HighMag check here: https://highmag-project.eu/
[a] https://echa.europa.eu/hot-topics/perfluoroalkyl-chemicals-pfas