POLiS - Cluster of Excellence

Watch the video on Interfaces & Interphases in Mg and Ca metal anode batteries by Prof. Alexandre Ponrouch (Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC)). Various metals have been used as #battery #anodes in electrochemical cells ever since the birth of the batteries with Volta’s pile and in the first commercialized primary (Zn/MnO2, Leclanché 1866) and secondary (Pb/acid, Planté 1859) batteries. Li-MoS2 cells, employing Li metal anodes, with specific energies two to three times higher than both Ni/Cd and Pb/acid cells, were withdrawn from the market due to safety issues related to dendrites growth. Instead, electrodeposition of Mg and Ca appears to be less prone to dendrite formation. Pioneering work by Aurbach et al. in the early 1990’s showed a surface-film controlled electrochemical behavior of Ca and Mg metal anodes in electrolytes with conventional organic solvents.The lack of metal plating was attributed to the poor divalent cation migration through the passivation layer. Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU)

Calling all interested PhD, master students and post-docs! Register now to the upcoming Block Course of the GS-EES - Graduate School Electrochemical Energy Storage taking place from 24th to 28th February 2025 at Ulm University and 7th to 11th April 2025 at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 "Materials, Functioning and Technology of Batteries" covers the full spectrum of electrochemical energy storage and conversion, from theory to engineering and from fundamentals to applications. More information on the Block Course as well as the registration form can be found on the GS-EES website: https://lnkd.in/dXrn6Php. BATTERY 2030+ CELEST - Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage | Ulm & Karlsruhe

At POLiS - Cluster of Excellence, we strongly believe that excellent scientific results can only be achieved by a diverse team of people with different backgrounds, experiences and ideas. The members of the Cluster of Excellence and the board are strongly committed to ensure #equalcareeropportunities irrespective of #gender, #age, #origin, personal #background and #religion. To gain a deeper insight in the #diversity, #equity and #inclusion (#DEI) initiatives within POLiS, we have spoken to Prof. Dr. Christine Kranz (CK), our Equal Opportunities Officer (EOO), Rihab SAYID (RS), doctoral researcher and Dr. Mohsen Sotoudeh (MS), postdoctoral fellow in the Cluster to get their view on current #DEI measures, challenges, possible improvements, different mentoring programs and more. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Ulm University Justus Liebig University Giessen Lisa Samrock Axel Groß Patrick Theato Max von Delius Mario Marinaro, Ph.D. Dr. techn. Ijaz Ul Mohsin Katharina Helmbrecht Christian Punckt Birgit Esser Ulrike Krewer CELEST - Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage | Ulm & Karlsruhe GS-EES - Graduate School Electrochemical Energy Storage Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU)

📢 Application is now open for the POLiS Award of Excellence for Female Researchers 2025! The POLiS Award of Excellence for Female Researchers is given annually to an outstanding female early and mid-career researcher working in one of the scientific topics of the POLiS Cluster. It entails up to 70,000 € for one or several research stays at one of POLiS participating institutions (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Ulm University, Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) and Justus Liebig University Giessen) to establish and strengthen international collaborations. Application deadline is March 31, 2025. Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU) CELEST - Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage | Ulm & Karlsruhe Kelsey Hatzell Theresa Schoetz María Arnaiz Guiomar Hernández Christine Kranz

A very successful workshop on „Highlights of Good Scientific Practice“ (#GSP) led by Christian Punckt Manager of POLiS - Cluster of Excellence and Gregg Dubow, Graduate Coordinator Cluster of Excellence Living, Adaptive and Energy-autonomous Materials Systems (livMatS) FIT - Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies has been held at Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU) with around 25 participants. The workshop focued on specific aspects that are highly relevant to everyday research. The session was designed to provide practical insights, rather than a comprehensive overview of all GSP topics, emphasizing key areas that directly impact the work. The workshop covered the following topics: 📢 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗦𝗣: A brief overview of the historical background and significance of GSP in maintaining research integrity. 📢 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 – 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: This interactive segment explored best practices in data management through a real-world case study, highlighting the importance of proper documentation and handling of research data. 📢 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀: Discussing standard operating procedures, best practices, and reporting standards, with a specific focus on battery research. This section was presented in a lecture format and included perspectives from industry. 📢 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 & 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: This session addressed critical aspects of authorship and publication ethics, helping you navigate the complexities of academic publishing responsibly. 📢 𝗪𝗿𝗮𝗽-𝗨𝗽 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗦𝗣 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: Finally, information on where to seek further guidance and support in case GSP-related challenges in work is encountered was provided. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Ulm University GS-EES - Graduate School Electrochemical Energy Storage CELEST - Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage | Ulm & Karlsruhe

Congratulations to Prof. Dr. Maximilian Fichtner on receiving the 2024 International Magnesium Award for Distinguished Scientist (Grand Award) by the International Mg Society! 🏆

Watch the video on Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy: High-energy Battery Interphases by Prof. Jelena Popovic-Neuber from University of Stavanger. Continuous solid #electrolyte interphase (#SEI) and dendrite growth, as well as formation of ion blocking interfaces are some of the crucial issues preventing the commercialization of high energy density batteries depending on the implementation of alkali and alkaline earth metal anodes. #Electrochemical #impedance #spectroscopy is a powerful tool to study processes in full #battery #cells, but also ion transport in naturally formed and artificial SEIs, and its evolution in time from model symmetric cells. The technique can be successfully used in batteries containing liquid, solid-state or hybrid electrolytes. In this talk, an overview on the recent studies on ion transport and evolution of SEIs on Li, Na, K, Mg, Al and most recently silicon anodes will be given. In natural SEIs formed in contact with liquid electrolytes such as carbonates, glymes, Grignards and ionic liquids close to open circuit voltage, main findings include changes from surface to diffusion controlled growth mechanism (Li), high porosity and predominant liquid transport pathways (Na), inherent mechanical instabilities (Mg) and large charge transfer resistances (Mg, Al). Artificial sulfide and Al2O3-based SEIs on Li and Na metal are also porous and reactive in contact with liquid and thiosulphate solid-state electrolytes. These findings are not only important in terms of optimization of metal anode behavior, but also in terms of understanding half-cell behavior when testing novel cathode materials. Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU) Ulm University Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Justus Liebig University Giessen Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) #MagBattV CELEST - Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage | Ulm & Karlsruhe

Close interaction between researchers and industry partners is essential to ensure that research is applied and relevant to industry. The Technology Transfer team therefore organises a series of workshops and industry visits.   On 15 October 2024, we had the opportunity to visit Leclanché GmbH Energy Storage Solutions in Willstätt and gain exciting insights into the industrial production of pouch cells during guided tours. We also had the opportunity to discuss with the plant manager Dr. Olaf Luche and Dr. Luca Schneider and to ask numerous questions.   Many thanks also to Dr. Jana Kumberg, a former POLiS PhD student, for coordinating the visit and to the whole Leclanché team for giving us the opportunity to visit the plant during production operations.   #POLiS #battery #research #technologytransfer

🏆 Congratulations to POLiS doctoral researcher Till Ortmann (Justus Liebig University Giessen) for being awarded a poster prize at the 5th International Sodium Battery Symposium in Berlin! As part of the 5th International Sodium Battery Symposium, which took place from 23 to 25 September 2025 in Berlin, the organizers Dr. Gustav Graeber and Prof. Dr. Philipp Adelhelm awarded the three best posters with a prize. Till Ortmann is a POLIS doctoral researcher in the group of Prof. Jürgen Janek at Justus Liebig University Giessen and received a poster prize for his work on the microstructure elucidation of deposited Na in Na solid-state batteries. The picture shows from left: Dr. Gustav Graeber (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Humboldt University of Berlin), Chantal Glatthaar (Justus Liebig University Giessen), Zhenyu Guo (Imperial College London, UK), Till Ortmann (Justus Liebig University Giessen), Prof. Dr. Philipp Adelhelm (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Humboldt University of Berlin)). Marcus Rohnke GS-EES - Graduate School Electrochemical Energy Storage CELEST - Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage | Ulm & Karlsruhe Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU) Johannes Schnaidt Photo Credits: Goutham N. Srinivas

Lars Griem is part of the research group at the 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 - 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗜𝗔𝗠-𝗠𝗠𝗦) at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) that is developing the research data infrastructure #Kadi4Mat. In this video, he presents a use case that he has implemented with which we can identify and visualize structured property linkages in material databases using machine learning algorithms. Material databases hold extensive information on various material systems. Their standardized structure makes them ideal for analysis with machine learning algorithms. In this video, he demonstrates how Kadi4Mat automates this analysis through workflows. Watch as we explore the synergy between Kadi4Mat’s repository and its workflow system to uncover structure-property linkages from stored materials data. CELEST - Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage | Ulm & Karlsruhe Dr.-Ing. Arnd Koeppe GS-EES - Graduate School Electrochemical Energy Storage Helmholtz Institute Ulm (HIU)