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.