CaSino

While the lithium used in conventional batteries represents in many respects an excellently suited element for energy storage, its availability on earth is limited, it is only available in a few places, mining is often problematic, and further, Li-based batteries exhibit problems such as an increased fire hazard due to dendrite formation. The search for alternative materials is therefore extremely important. Calcium is 400 times more abundant in the earth's crust than lithium, available everywhere, and cheap to produce. The "CaSino" project has now set itself the goal of achieving significant progress in terms of cycle stability and energy density of calcium-sulfur batteries through innovative material development. These steps are accompanied by experimental investigations, advanced analytical methods and extensive modeling work. At the NMI, the interfaces between the electrodes and electrolytes will be investigated microscopically and spectroscopically as part of the project in order to contribute to the understanding of the function and relevant parameters for the stability and performance of the cells. For this purpose, Ca-S battery cells from the research of the project partners and also special model systems are analyzed for microscopic examination.

Important prerequisites for this are the capabilities for inert and cryopreparation and transfer of oxygen- and water-sensitive material systems, analysis by electron and ion microscopy, and the combination of cryopreparation with analytical transmission electron microscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy for the investigation of internal interfaces.

The project management of CaSino lies with the Institute of Technical Thermodynamics of the German Aerospace Center e.V. (DLR)

Another project manager at the NMI is Dr. Claus Burkhardt.