Blog of Fraunhofer ISI

The articles in the Fraunhofer ISI blog provide insights into the research topics of the institute. Whether interim reports from current projects, interviews with scientists or statements on current debates: The articles cover the broad spectrum of Fraunhofer ISI and will appear depending on the topic.

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  • “Generative AI has not surprised us.”

    by Bernd Beckert / February 22, 2024

    © shutterstock.com/anttoniart, shutterstock.com/fractal-an

    Research planning depends on knowledge about the future. Here, there are various foresight methods, which are becoming better all the time, as they are based on large quantities of data and use AI tools. Foresight based on AI is anything but trivial: Dr. Philine Warnke is a foresight expert at Fraunhofer ISI and has shared the secret of technical foresight, which allows her to recognize trends, before others recognize them. However, results at the push of a button do not exist.

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  • Comparison of alternative battery technologies: technology maturity, market potential and sustainability benefits
    © Fraunhofer ISI

    The growing global demand for batteries is currently covered for the largest part by lithium-ion batteries. However, alternative battery technologies are increasingly coming into focus due to geopolitical dependencies and resource availability. What alternatives to lithium-ion batteries can meet the growing demand, ease the raw material situation and reduce geopolitical dependencies? How can supply chains be established in such a way that a resilient and technologically sovereign battery ecosystem can be created in Europe? And what about sodium-ion batteries, already used in electric vehicles in Asia?

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  • Will the development of a European battery ecosystem fail due to a shortage of skilled labour?

    by Dr. Axel Thielmann, Dr. Christoph Neef, Dr. Thomas Schmaltz and Dr. Lukas Weymann (all Fraunhofer ISI) / January 23, 2024

    © Fraunhofer ISI

    According to media reports, the impending cuts to German battery research could have a drastic impact on the competitiveness of the German and thus European battery industry - because this could further increase the already noticeable shortage of skilled labour and scientific experts. In this article innovation researchers from Fraunhofer ISI explain what is at stake and emphasise that the budget for research and development should actually be increased rather than cut. After all, the upcoming market ramp-up in electric mobility by 2030 will create an enormous need for battery expert knowledge.

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  • Solid-state battery roadmap with different cell concepts and their expected start of industrial pilot production
    © Adapted from Thomas Schmaltz, Felix Hartmann, Tim Wicke, Lukas Weymann, Christoph Neef and Jürgen Janek (2023): A Roadmap for Solid-State Batteries; in: Advanced Energy Materials (Volume 13, Issue 43/2023) published by Wiley-VCH GmbH

    Solid-state batteries are regarded as a promising further development of lithium-ion batteries. Different materials are available for the various components. Which ones could be successfully commercialized in (hybrid) cell concepts in the future?

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  • Spot market price development for Co, Li2CO3 and LiOH as well as number of publicly announced supply contract conclusions.
    © Fraunhofer ISI

    Prices for key battery raw materials have been subject to enormous fluctuations over the past two years, putting an end, at least temporarily, to the trend of falling battery cell costs. In its Battery Update, Fraunhofer ISI points out which role the design of supply contracts plays in pricing and how the changes in raw material prices affect the costs of different lithium-ion battery technologies.

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  • How much green hydrogen will Europe’s industry need in 2050?

    von Christoph Peters / August 09, 2023

    A new study by Fraunhofer ISI for the EU Commission has examined the impacts of the industry transition on the European energy system in different scenarios. The study shows that Europe’s industry in 2050 will need substantial amounts of green hydrogen and a corresponding transport infrastructure, even with strong electrification of process heat. In the interview, the study’s author, Dr. Tobias Fleiter, explains the results and reveals where the green hydrogen for our industry could come from in the future.

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  • Global battery production with LFP and NMC/NCA cathode material between 2022 and 2030
    © Fraunhofer ISI

    The cathode is a central component of a lithium-ion battery cell and significantly influences its cost, energy density, i.e. relative storage capacity, and safety. Two materials currently dominate the choice of cathode active materials for lithium-ion batteries: lithium iron phosphate (LFP), which is relatively inexpensive, and nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) or nickel-cobalt-alumina (NCA), which are convincing on the market due to their higher energy density, i.e. their ability to store electrical energy. Our analysis shows where in the world how much of which cathode material will be used in battery production and by when.

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