Research Doctorate at the International Graduate School of Battery Chemistry, Characterisation, Analysis, Recycling and Application (BACCARA)

The interdisciplinary research activities, from which you can choose a topic for your doctorate, are centred on theory and modelling, material synthesis, catalysis, analysis and characterisation, battery cell, recycling, sustainability and life cycle analysis. Theory and Modelling Theoretical work is conducted on very different length- and time-scales: ab initio methods for the description of reaction processes, for the determination of electrochemical stabilities and for the optimisation of force fields; molecular dynamics simulations for improved understanding of structural and kinetic processes in electrolytes; and machine learning concepts for improved analysis of experimental and simulated data. Material Synthesis Within this research focus, new molecules and solid materials are to be synthesised in a targeted manner in order to positively influence key performance parameters such as internal resistance, temperature windows, battery life and intrinsic cell safety. The development of improved and sustainable synthesis pathways is also an important element. Catalysis In the field of lithium-ion batteries, catalysed reactions are of particular interest. The time- and cost-intensive formation step after assembly and during the first charge is essentially based on a polymerisation reaction of electrolyte constituents and lasts from several hours to days. Polymer-based solid state batteries (SSBs) represent a broad field of research for catalysis research.  Analysis and Characterisation Individual molecular and solid materials as well as the complex "battery cell" system require a broad portfolio of methods and proven experts for local and global material analysis in order to characterise different interfaces and interphases and investigate the micro-structures and nano-structures of pure substances and composites. Battery Cell Technology The battery cell serves as a technological demonstrator for developed materials. All developments of the previously described research disciplines converge in this research area. They are thoroughly electrochemical with regard to their interaction with the "battery cell" system and subjected to an in-depth post-mortem analysis (field of activity: "analysis and characterisation") in order to elucidate reaction mechanisms and damage patterns. These findings are reflected back to the respective focal points and the materials are iteratively optimised. Recycling, Sustainability and Life Cycle Analysis The successful and sustainable recycling of a battery cell begins with the design of the materials and the manufacture of the components. According to the so-called "Design for Recycling" practice, innovative materials and processes are researched that enable the use of materials and, in the best-case scenario, individual components (e.g. electrodes) with minimal performance losses. Life cycle analyses can also be used to develop processes that enable the most energy-efficient separation and recovery of the individual cell materials, either as components or as raw materials.