Neutrons contribute to turnaround in energy policy

Neutrons contribute to turnaround in energy policy In-situ measurement of a Li-Ion battery at the instrument STRESS-SPEC at the Research Neutron Source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II). (Credits: Gilles/FRM II)

In-situ measurement of a Li-Ion battery at the instrument STRESS-SPEC at the Research Neutron Source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II). (Credits: Gilles/FRM II)

The Research Neutron Source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) is a partner of the cross-faculty Energy Research Initiative TUM•Energy, where a total of eleven TUM chairs are represented. The purpose of this initiative is to make more efficient use of renewable energy resources. The research project aims to develop a production-ready and competitive energy buffer system, to ensure that the majority of locally generated energy can be consumed locally. Due to its specific characteristics, lithium-ion battery systems are particularly suited for these applications. The Bavarian State will provide 30 Million Euros for battery research at the TUM.

In order to better understand inner processes and to find approaches for the optimisation, the battery systems are examined in situ at the Research Neutron Source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II). By this means, the battery life and the cycle stability should be increased to 20 years. “Neutrons are uniquely suited to investigate non-destructively battery systems and to exactly observe the chemical processes inside a battery during loading and unloading,” says Dr. habil. Ralph Gilles, project coordinator at the Research Neutron Source. The FRM II already is a partner in the ExZellTUM project, which aims to investigate and improve Li-ion cells as energy storage systems for future electric cars. Ralph Gilles: “The Research Neutron Source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) makes an important contribution to future sustainable energy supply.”