Ongoing Projects in Battery Research
Our 15-year collaboration with the world’s largest chemical producer, BASF SE, focuses on the synthesis and improvement of cathode active materials. By combining deep academic expertise with industrial application, this project effectively bridges the gap between fundamental research and commercial scaling.
While our earlier work centered on Li- and Mn-rich (LMR) and Ni-rich (~ 80 % TM Ni) NCMs, our current research targets next-generation, ultra-high-nickel materials (≥ 95 % TM Ni). Because these promising materials are prone to rapid degradation, our goal is to understand the underlying failure mechanisms and counteract them through targeted synthetic modifications (post-treatments).
To achieve this, we systematically evaluate material engineering using advanced structural analytics. We then validate the working principles through comprehensive electrochemical testing—ranging from half-cell tests and impedance spectroscopy for fundamental characterization, to long-term full-cell cycling that confirms the superior stability of our newly developed materials.
Duration: 07/2024 – 06/2027
Partner: BASF SE
Contact: Tim Kipfer
Motivation
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) powered aircraft are regarded as a key technology for future low-emission transportation. Electrification of the aviation sector through Li-ion batteries requires cell chemistries capable of delivering high specific power (W/kg) and energy densities (Wh/kg), which are imperative to sustain the power demands during takeoff, landing and extended cruise periods. In addition, safety and reliability are of paramount importance when discharging such large amounts of energy. The goal of this project is to collect expertise and to develop a battery suitable for avionic applications through a multidisciplinary approach.
An Innovative Approach
The energy and power requirements can be achieved by operating the battery at elevated temperatures (>25 °C) as this enables faster cell kinetics. However, this also promotes parasitic reactions that result in degradation. Scope of the subproject Helios within batterFly is to evaluate the performance of nickel-rich cathodes and corresponding degradation phenomena at elevated temperatures, with the goal of developing an optimal cell chemistry with respect to electrolyte formulation, cathode active material and voltage window. To safely utilize the high power and energy density of nickel-rich materials at elevated temperatures, the electrolyte system can be tailored to stabilize the cathode-electrolyte interface, thereby mitigating safety critical phenomena such as gassing and maintain cycling stability for extended battery lifetimes.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
To bridge the gap between lab scale electrochemistry and cell integration, the project partners Forschungszentrum Jülich, RWTH Aachen University, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and University of Stuttgart complement the expertise at TUM in electrochemistry, cell production, safety testing and aircraft integration. In addition, the project is supported by an advisory board from industry, comprised of AIR ENERGY Entwicklungs GmbH & CoKG, Customcells Itzehoe GmbH, Lange Aviation GmbH, Pipistrel d.o.o. and Kristl, Seibt & Co. Gesellschaft m.b.H., covering all aspects of the development chain from fundamental research on the cell chemistry to aircraft integration.
Contributions of TUM
The Chair of Technical Electrochemistry and the Chair of Electrical Energy Storage Technology at TUM investigate material properties such as kinetics, mass transport and degradation as well as thermal and mechanical aspects of larger cells and battery systems. The role of TUM within batterFly is to investigate the stability limit of the cathode active material (CAM) with respect to potential and temperature. After identification of the degradation phenomena, an appropriate electrolyte composition will be determined to mitigate these. The trade-off between performance and cell aging will be investigated to distill optimal operating conditions considering temperature, voltage window and electrolyte composition. For this optimized system, parameters such as electrolyte conductivity will be determined experimentally to build a cell model for simulations. In summary, TUM determines the cell chemistry with emphasis on the cathode and electrolyte, which will be used by the other project partners, as well as a cell model to assist thermal- and battery management.
Project Funding
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (German aviation research program LuFO VII-1)
List of Project Partners
Forschungszentrum Jülich (Consortium leader)
RWTH Aachen University
Technical University of Munich
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
University of Stuttgart
Duration
January 2026 – December 2029
Contact: Moritz Bock, Maximilian Reichl
Cell Chemistry Based on Silicon Anode and Ni-rich Oxide Cathodes
– Facilitation by Additives and Electrolyte Optimization (CAESAR)
The CAESAR project focuses on the increase in specific energy (Wh/kg) and energy density (Wh/L) of battery systems consisting of a microscale silicon-based anode paired with a nickel-rich NCM cathode. The combination of both high-capacity anode and cathode material is characterized and subsequently optimized via, e.g., carbon coatings, electrolyte formulations, and pre-lithiation, together with partners from TUM and industry.
Project Framework: Research funding from the BMWK within the 7th Energy Research Program
Duration: 06/2021-05/2024 (extended until 06/2025)
Partner:
- ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG
- BASF SE
- E-Lyte Innovations GmbH
- Forschungs-Neutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz, TUM (FRM II)
- Lehrstuhl für Elektrische Energiespeicher, TUM (EES)
- Institut für Werkzeugmaschinen und Betriebswissenschaften, TUM (iwb)
- VARTA Microbattery GmbH
- Wacker Chemie AG
Contact: Jonas Dickmanns
Evaluation of high performance Li-Ion Silicon-dominant Anodes (ELSA)
The ELSA project focuses on investigating the performance, durability, and rate capability of Si/C composite based anodes, as well as elucidating cross-talk phenomena with Ni-rich cathode active materials (CAMs). Optimized setups on a cell level are envisioned to be employed in automotive applications.
Duration: 08/2023 – 07/2026
Partner: Cellforce Group GmbH
BASF
Group14 Technologies
Contact: Michael Geserer
The SIB:DE project aims to advance sodium-ion battery technology by fostering collaboration between academia and industry. It focuses on the development of scalable materials and the optimization of efficient production processes to support the transition to sustainable energy solutions. Within the SIB:DE project, the Chair of Technical Electrochemistry focuses on the analysis and optimization of cell chemistries at the laboratory scale. The aim is to evaluate rate performance and material lifespan using methods such as impedance spectroscopy and OEMS, and to define optimal cell parameters.
Funding: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Total funding volume ~14 Mio. Euro
Duration: 01/2025-12/2027
Further TUM partners: Institute of Machine Tools and Industrial Management (iwb)
Further partners:
- BASF SE (Koordinator)
- E-Lyte Innovations GmbH
- Evonik Operations GmbH
- Forschungszentrum Jülich/Institute of Energy Materials and Devices (IMD-4, HelmholzInstitut Münster)
- Fraunhofer-Einrichtung Forschungsfertigung Batteriezelle FFB
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Fertigungstechnik und Angewandte Materialforschung IFAM
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Gießerei-, Composite- und Verarbeitungstechnik IGCV
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- KIT/Helmholtz-Institut Ulm (AK Bresser)
- KIT/Helmholtz-Institut Ulm (AK Fichtner)
- Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) – Institut für Angewandte Materialien – IAM
- Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) – Institut für Nanotechnologie – BELLA
- Litona GmbH
- Rain Carbon Germany GmbH
- RWTH Aachen – Institut für Stromrichtertechnik und elektrische Antriebe (ISEA)
- Schunk Kohlenstofftechnik GmbH
- Universität Bayreuth
- Universität Münster (MEET Batterieforschungszentrum, IfBM)
- VARTA Microbattery GmbH
- Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung (ZSW)
Contact: Lara Link, Matthias Füchsl
Fundamentals of Energy Conversion Processes
e-conversion is a Cluster of Excellence funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under Germany‘s Excellence Strategy since January 2019. The e-conversion Cluster of Excellence is exploring ways to deliver a stable, efficient and sustainable supply of energy by combining nanoscience with energy sciences. This cluster focuses on the energy conversion processes of different technologies – from photovoltaics through (photo-)electrocatalysis to battery technologies.
Funding: A DFG Cluster of Excellence (EXC 2089/1 – 390776260)
Contact: Simon Qian
TUMint Energy Research - Industrialisability of solid state electrolyte cells
In this interdisciplinary project scientists from many fields like physics, (electro-)chemistry and in the further course also material science, process and production technology work together on the development and production of all-solid-state batteries. This is a long term project and is implemented in several steps. The first step, i.e., investigations on material synthesis and characterization of selected material classes, is already in progress.
In the medium and long term, solid-state battery systems be developed, optimized and tested in a pouch cell configuration.
Funding: Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy
Further TUM-Partner:
- Chair of Inorganic Chemistry with Focus on Novel Materials (Prof. Fässler)
- Chair of Energy Conversion and Storage (Prof. Bandarenka)
Duration: March 01, 2018 – December 31, 2024
Contact: Tobias Kutsch