Expectations of battery cells are high: they are to become more efficient, safe, cost-effective and sustainable. Hereby, the materials used play a key role. In the competence cluster ExcellBattMat, new material concepts for future high-energy battery systems are therefore being developed, characterised and tested. With cluster partners in Dresden, Munich, Münster and Ulm, Germany's strongest battery material scientists have joined forces to cooperate under the umbrella concept “Research Fab Battery Cells” of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). There is a wide range of cooperation and constant exchange with the BMBF-funded research clusters FestBatt and ProZell. As part of the BMBF's umbrella concept, cooperative research is intended to help strengthen the competitiveness of German industry with regard to the energy transition in a highly competitive international environment.

Launched in November 2019 the competence cluster for battery materials ExcellBattMat represents a realignment and integration of the funding measure "ExcellentBattery" in the materials module of the BMBF umbrella concept "Research Fab Battery Cells". The structures and key findings from the ExcellentBattery funding measure will be taken up.

Broad-based Competence Center for Materials Research

When looking for new battery materials, ExcellBattMat considers battery specific parameters such as energy density, life time and safety as well as economic and geopolitical aspects, such as cost development or material availability. The comprehensive research approach includes active and inactive materials, electrolytes and novel electrode concepts.

As a broad-based center of excellence, ExcellBattMat acts as a flexible interface for the rapid assessment, characterisation, transfer and processing of new and improved material concepts. The cluster bundles the broad experimental, analytical and theoretical expertise of the experienced collaborative partners and is characterized by intensive cooperation: In currently four projects, scientists from five German universities and numerous research institutions are working together on novel battery materials. The competence cluster is coordinated by MEET Battery Research Center located at the University of Münster. Representatives of selected industrial companies accompany the cluster to ensure a close network of science and practice. Together with representatives of the individual ExcellBattMat centres, they form the management board.