• Development of an anode with quadruple the storage capacity of conventional anodes
• Development of cathode materials that enable very high discharge currents (discharge of up to 50% of its capacity in 3 minutes), achieving both rapid charging and rapid acceleration in electromobility

ANODE MATERIALS
We seek to achieve market-readiness for anode materials with long-term stability and storage density above 1,500 mAh/g that will enable diverse applications for energy storage and for electronic drives. Our material of choice is silicon in its nanocrystalline form, especially as silicon-carbon composite. Silicon as an anode material is safe and the material itself is available in abundance, which also makes it affordable. Based on the current level of knowledge, integrated silicon nanoparticles offer extreme stability. We synthesize our own silicon nanoparticles because our specialists can tailor-make
them in sufficient quantities in our in-house facility.

CATHODE MATERIALS
We are working on materials for cathodes based on inorganic polyanions and bivalent metal
ions that are cost-effective, safe, and readily available.
These cathodes offer greater storage capacity because they can absorb more lithium ions per formula unit than today’s conventional materials. Polyanions exhibit extraordinary chemical stability, and we transform the isolating polyanion units into an electrically-conductive state via nanostructuring towards a composite with carbon. We have testing capabilities that range up to the capacity needed for industrial applications (Wh/kWh/Ah). We are able to study lifespans, power densities, and environmental effects, whether in individ­ual electrodes or entire battery packs.

• Dr. Hartmut Wiggers (anode and cathode materials)
• Prof. Dr. Angelika Heinzel (electrode formulations, battery tests)