Research Field 1

Research Field Lithium-Ion Batteries

The lithium-ion battery is currently the most important type of battery among the rechargeable high-performance batteries. While small lithium-ion batteries are already being used commercially in consumer electronics, electrical tools, hybrid vehicles, and electric cars, the commercial use of larger energy storage units is still in its early stages. The maximum storage capacity of conventional lithium-ion batteries has, however, nearly been reached. In order to achieve advances in performance, it is therefore necessary to press ahead with the development of new storage material and approaches. New electrochemical pairings and new ideas for an even more compact design are needed to achieve another significant jump in energy density.

Research Field 2

Research Field Post-Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion and metal hydride batteries are established systems that are currently being successfully employed for energy storage in electrically powered applications. In order to make future devices safer, less expensive, more sustainable, and more powerful, researchers globally are looking for alternatives, in which lithium as charge carrier is replaced by other elements. In the CELEST research field post-lithium batteries, focus is laid on batteries using monovalent cationic (sodium, potassium), multivalent cationic (magnesium, calcium, aluminium) or anionic (chloride, fluoride) charge carriers. To realize such batteries, new functional components and materials are developed, and an understanding of the electrochemical processes is obtained.

Research Field 3

Research Field Alternative Storage

Clean hydrogen is expected to play a central role in future energy systems, serving both as a seasonal storage medium and as a fuel. Research on hydrogen spans several disciplines, including electrochemical hydrogen generation through water electrolysis, fuel cell technology for efficient utilization, and engineering aspects related to handling, storage, and safety.

Currently, hydrogen is one of the most important industrial chemicals, with almost 100 Mt produced in 2024 (IEA Global Hydrogen Review 2025). Major applications include ammonia production and oil refining. However, nearly all of this hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, or oil. Clean hydrogen, generated from renewable sources, accounts for only about 1% of global production.