University of Bayreuth, Press Release Nr. 053/2022 - 19 April 2022

Bavarian Centre for Battery Technology (BayBatt): Innovative research and teaching in a new building

The Bavarian Centre for Battery Technology (BayBatt), a research centre of the University of Bayreuth, is launching into the future at a new location in Bayreuth's industrial north. On four floors with a floor space of around 7,000 square metres, the new building offers plenty of space for researching and developing intelligent, networked, and sustainable energy storage systems - in close cooperation between science and industry. Rooms for teaching events promote the dovetailing of research with innovative courses of study. A ceremonial inauguration is planned for November 2022, to which Minister President Dr Markus Söder is among those invited.

In front of the entrance to the new BayBatt building: Members of the working groups of Prof. Dr. Matteo Bianchini and Junior Professor Dr.-Ing. Fridolin Röder. Outside left and right: BayBatt coordinators Dr. Matthias Daab and Dr. Julia Menzel.

UBT / J. Rennecke.

A place for interdisciplinary energy research

The research work at BayBatt covers the entire spectrum of innovative battery technology. It ranges from molecular fundamentals, to the structuring of electrodes and cell assembly, to the use of batteries in networked energy storage systems. "With the building rented by the University of Bayreuth in the industrial zone, we offer our scientists excellent conditions for their work on one of the most important issues of our time: sustainable solutions for energy supply," says Dr. Nicole Kaiser, Provost of the University of Bayreuth. In addition, the basic spatial structure reflects the interdisciplinary cooperation within the centre: "Individually used laboratories and offices are complemented by areas used for a variety of work and shared common rooms. An ideal place for connecting and for cross-disciplinary research."

Bavaria's Science Minister Markus Blume emphasizes the importance of innovative battery research for the future of Bavaria: "Energy policy is security and economic policy! We must concentrate on energy sources that we have ourselves. Intelligent and innovative storage technology is essential for our security and prosperity in the future – be it in electric vehicles, in stationary battery storage, or in our daily consumer electronics. The establishment of BayBatt has been a key measure in our Bavarian High-Tech Agenda. I am delighted that we have been able to acquire this high-quality property for this purpose.”

Mingzhe Han M.Sc. and Srivatsan Ramasubramanian M.Sc., research assistants and doctoral students in the team of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Fridolin Röder (from left). The team researches methods for the development of modern battery management systems (multiscale simulation, machine learning, dynamic characterization methods).

UBT / J. Rennecke.

The building will be occupied in stages

BayBatt's subject range, which is unique in Germany, is also reflected in the subject profiles of the participating research groups and professorships. Prof. Dr. Matteo Bianchini is one of the first to work in the new research building with his international team. He is Chair of Inorganic Active Materials for Electrochemical Energy Storage and specialises in electrode materials. He recently received an ERC Starting Grant, the highest European funding award, for his project to develop solid-state batteries based on sodium. "4SBatt", as the project is called, is dedicated to current battery-related issues: more range and more safety.

Junior professor Dr. Fridolin Röder has also already moved into several rooms at the new BayBatt site. He and his team are also working on the central technical challenges of the energy transition and electromobility. The focus of his research work is on the development of modern battery management systems. Over the coming months, additional professors will be appointed who will further strengthen the battery-specific know-how of the University of Bayreuth. Electrical energy storage, mechanics, as well as sustainability and material cycles are to be the focal points.

Study programmes unique in Germany

The central importance of battery systems for future energy storage and use future is associated with an enormous rise in demand for experts. Highly-qualified graduates are needed to actively shape the ongoing development of sustainable, safe, and networked battery technology. BayBatt has therefore launched two dedicated battery-related master's programmes - a first in the German university landscape. With the English-language degree programme "Battery Materials & Technology" (M.Sc.) and the German-language degree programme "Batterietechnik" (M.Sc.), the University of Bayreuth aims to train interdisciplinary experts who have an overview of the entire value chain of energy storage systems.

The novel degree programmes are aimed at graduates from both the natural sciences and engineering. Both master's programmes will start in the 2022/23 winter semester. Applications are open from now until 15 July 2022 (information on the programmes: https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/en/master/battery-materials-technology resp. https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/master/batterietechnik).

"We wish to contribute to the success of the transition to renewable energy, not just through outstanding research, but also with our excellent teaching," affirms Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Danzer, Director of the Bavarian Centre for Battery Technology (BayBatt). "That is why we are looking forward to outstanding applicants from Germany and abroad who will work with us on the next generation of the battery at our new centre."

Contact:

Dr. Julia Menzel
Bavarian Centre for Battery Technology (BayBatt)
University of Bayreuth
Phone +49 (0) 921-55-5877
E-mail: julia.menzel@uni-bayreuth.de
WWW: https://www.baybatt.uni-bayreuth.de/en
https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/en/master/battery-materials-technology
https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/master/batterietechnik