The Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) is pleased to present Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Janek, professor for Physical Chemistry at Justus Liebig University in Giessen (JLU), Germany, director of the JLU Center for Materials Research and Scientific Director of the BELLA lab at KIT, Karlsruhe, for a WIN Seminar on November 28, 2 p.m. at QNC 1501.
When: November 28 @ 2:00 p.m.
Where: QNC 1501
About the seminar
Title: Interface Design in Solid State Batteries
Abstract:
Solid State Batteries are considered as next step in the development of high-performance batteries. Lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolyte have become an essential energy-storing component of many advanced technologies, ranging from medical devices to smart phones, robots, EVs to stationary storage. Whether batteries with even better performance can be developed utilizing solid electrolytes, will depend on several key factors: 1. The large scale availability of solid electrolytes with desired properties, 2. the stability of solid electrolytes in the battery cell environment, 3. improved performance of solid state batteries, 4. improved safety, and 5. acceptable costs.
In my lecture, I will summarize the state of development, highlight the recent economic race for batteries and advanced battery components, and identify the key barriers on the way to commercializing solid state batteries.
In the major part of my lecture, I will highlight the role of well-designed interface for the proper function of solid-state batteries. As one example, I will present results on the lithium and sodium metal anode. As second example, I will present results on the solid/solid cathode composite and the design of protecting interlayers.
Biography
Jürgen Janek is professor for Physical Chemistry at Justus Liebig University in Giessen (JLU), Germany, director of the JLU Center for Materials Research and Scientific Director of the BELLA lab at KIT, Karlsruhe. He was visiting professor in universities in Seoul, Sendai, Marseille, and holds an honorary doctorate by TU Delft (Netherlands). He is member of the Leopoldina – German National Academy of Sciences and got numerous awards, among them the first Greve Prize by Leopoldina and the Research Award of the International Battery Association. He holds numerous patents and has published almost 600 peer-reviewed papers. His research interests focus on the physical chemistry of inorganic solids, solid state ionics and reactivity, specifically on the properties of mixed ionic-electronic conductors, defect chemistry of ionic materials, kinetics of solid-state reactions and solid-solid interfaces. In recent years, his research is focused on the chemistry of battery materials, solid electrolytes and solid-state batteries and operando studies of batteries. He is scientific coordinator of the German Cluster of Competence for Solid State Batteries FestBatt funded by BMFTR (Federal Ministry for Education and Research) and is one of the spokespersons of the DFG Cluster of Excellence POLIS at Ulm/Karlsruhe/Giessen – to be funded from 2026.
Doors will open 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time, with simple refreshments available. We encourage attendees to arrive early to secure their seats.