Battery research: International Graduate School receives millions in funding
The International Graduate School “BACCARA” (Battery Chemistry, Characterisation, Analysis, Recycling and Application) at the University of Münster will continue to train specialists in battery research over the next five years. To this end, BACCARA will receive around five million euros from the Ministry for Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
As a scientific institution at the University of Münster, BACCARA trains international doctoral students in battery research, thereby increasing the visibility and influence of North Rhine-Westphalia in this field. In the second funding phase, the doctoral students will not only work on their own research projects, but also on a range of topics including “Artificial Intelligence and its ethical use in science”, programming, intercultural communication, science communication and project management.
“The most efficient way to attract skilled workers is to train them yourself. BACCARA is an excellent example of this,” said Minister Ina Brandes. “Young scientists are given the opportunity to learn from the expertise of internationally renowned top researchers. This will benefit not only battery research in Germany, but also North Rhine-Westphalia as a science location.” The teams led by Professor Martin Winter and Professor Frank Glorius, who are co-directors of the graduate school, are developing the energy storage systems of the future and offering doctoral students an excellent working environment.
A particular strength of BACCARA is the close link between basic and applied research, added Martin Winter. “It offers doctoral students cutting-edge research and training and prepares them optimally for a career in science and industry.”
BACCARA was founded in 2020 in collaboration with the MEET battery research centre and the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy at the University of Münster. Other partners include the Helmholtz Institute Münster of Forschungszentrum Jülich and the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB. These collaborations enable a broad and state-of-the-art research programme covering topics such as materials and battery cell research, electrochemistry, molecular chemistry, catalysis, life cycle analysis and recycling. The research programme also includes theoretical chemistry using modern information technologies such as data analysis, simulation and machine learning.
Other key financial backers include the University of Münster and the Volkswagen subsidiary “PowerCo”, which are supporting BACCARA with funding in excess of five million euros.