Energy Materials

We develop and analyze sustainable battery systems, in particular rechargeable aluminum-ion battery systems (AIB), a cost-effective and non-flammable electrical storage system. When using natural graphite as cathode material, we have demonstrated energy densities of 135 Wh/kg based on the active mass. As a high power storage, our AIB can be loaded and unloaded in less than 20 seconds. The process is reversible, and we have demonstrated more than 10.000 cycles with over 95 % charging efficiency in lab cells, with over 85 % energy efficiency. We manufacture single and multi-layer pouch cells with a capacity of up to 150 mAh, which achieve more than 2000 cycles at a charging rate of up to 10 C. The current performance of the AIB is already comparable to lead-acid batteries. This means that AIBs have great potential for stationary and hybrid mobile applications, e.g., for grid stabilization or an uninterruptible power supply.

© Daniel Karmann / Fraunhofer IISB
Operando structural analysis of active materials of battery cells using X-ray diffractometry during charging and discharging
© INNOBATT / Fraunhofer IISB
Electrochemical characterization of aluminium ion pouch cells
© Daniel Karmann / Fraunhofer IISB
Post-mortem analysis of battery cell components under an inert atmosphere

Services

  • Synthesis and functionalization of powders for use as electrode materials and other functional applications
  • Preparation of slurries and production of electrodes with different coating processes
  • Morphological and structural characterization of particles and layers using
    • REM
    • Raman with operando option
    • XRD with operando option
    • FTIR, ATR-IR
    • BET
    • Laser diffraction
    • Post-mortem analysis of battery components using light microscopy under an inert atmosphere
  • Electrochemical analysis
    • Surface analysis depending on the temperature
    • Conductivity of electrolytes
  • Electrochemical characterization of battery cells
    • Lab cells (ElCells®) and pouch cells
    • CC, CV, EIS

Publications

Brochures