EXC 2154:  POLiS - Post Lithium Storage Cluster of Excellence

• Subject Area: Chemical Solid State and Surface Research ; Materials Science ; Physical Chemistry
• Term: since 2019
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 390874152

The integration of fluctuating renewable energy sources into the future energy economy and the establishment of electromobility require new materials and technology concepts for powerful and sustainable electrical energy storage. The main goal of this Cluster is to build a fundamental understanding of a new generation of electrochemical energy storage systems and develop a platform for future stationary and mobile applications. In order to overcome current limitations of Li-ion battery technology, including uncertainties regarding sustainable materials supply, we have identified alternatives that no longer rely on Li. Specifically, we are targeting sustainable systems based on Na, Mg, Zn, Ca, Al, Cl ions. Such systems are called "post-Li" batteries and have the potential to store more energy, be safer, and provide a less costly, long-term option for mass applications such as stationary and mobile electrochemical storage.First work on such batteries has shown that concepts established so far cannot simply be transferred from the Li to the post-Li world, and the current understanding of electrochemical systems is not sufficient to build better systems on the basis of this new technology. Major "road blocks" preventing development and widespread use of post-Li systems include:- low ionic mobility in solids and liquids, - lack of well-designed materials interfaces with suitable charge transfer properties, - degradation of active materials and electrolyte, and- lack of reversibility of charge- and discharge processes. To tackle these issues, the work within the Cluster will be organized along four key topics (Research Units): Electrode Materials, Electrolytes, Interfaces, and Integration & Sustainable Cell Engineering, which reflect the different levels and aspects of electrochemical systems. We particularly aim at linking fundamental materials properties to critical performance parameters in electrochemical energy storage.The proposed consortium combines the expertise of top-class electrochemists, materials scientists, modeling experts and engineers at Ulm University (UUlm) and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Uniquely positioned to address the scientific and technical challenges in the field of electrochemical energy storage, it is among the internationally leading consortia in the field of post-Li systems. Based on the number of publications and patents in Li and post-Li research and development in 2017, UUlm and KIT combined hold the first position in Europe.The Cluster will follow a multidisciplinary approach, including solution and materials chemistry, electrochemistry, predictive atomistic and continuum modeling, as well as chemical and process engineering. Arising concepts for materials design will eventually be validated in full battery cells, examining performance, sustainability and safety issues. The proposed Cluster comprises high-risk high-gain research and will pave the way for technology transfer to industry.

• DFG Programme: Clusters of Excellence (ExStra)
• Applicant Institution: Universität Ulm
• Co-Applicant Institution: Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
• Participating Institution: Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstofforschung Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) ; Geschäftsbereich Elektrochemische Energiewandlung und -Speicherung; Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen; Fachbereich Biologie und Chemie; Physikalisch-Chemisches Institut
• Spokespersons: Professor Dr. Helmut Ehrenberg; Professor Dr. Maximilian Fichtner; Professor Dr. Axel Groß
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Rolf Jürgen Behm; Professor Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Fleischer; Professor Dr. Armin Grunwald; Professor Dr. Michael J. Hoffmann; Professor Dr. Timo Jacob; Professor Dr. Jürgen Janek; Professor Dr. Fedor Jelezko; Professorin Dr. Ute Kaiser; Professor Dr.-Ing. Josef Kallo; Professor Dr.-Ing. Marc Kamlah; Professorin Dr. Christine Kranz; Professor Dr. Christian Kübel; Professor Dr. Arnulf Latz; Professorin Dr. Britta Nestler; Professor Stefano Passerini, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Sven Rau; Professor Dr. Mario Ruben; Professor Dr.-Ing. Wilhelm Schabel; Professor Dr. Rolf Schuster; Professor Dr. Hans Jürgen Seifert; Professor Dr. Carsten Streb; Dr. Margret Wohlfahrt-Mehrens