Research
Electrochemical storage systems
Redox Flow and Aqueous Battery Systems
The AG Grünebaum works on the topic "Redox Flow and Aqueous Battery Systems" and is part of the Helmholtz Institute Münster (HI MS).
We focus on developing ecological and economical stationary energy storage systems, which are essential for intermediate storage of renewable energies.
Redox Flow Batteries
Redox flow batteries are characterized by having their active materials, known as redox species, in dissolved form. These redox species must circulate between a storage tank and the reaction cell via mechanical pumping systems. This design places unique demands on both the active materials themselves and the overall technical design of the system.The research combines fundamental studies and applied research, focusing on readily available and environmentally-friendly redox species.
To gain a comprehensive understanding, the group investigates optimized cell designs, monitoring sensors, and control systems tailored for redox flow batteries. Optical sensors are employed to monitor the electrolyte solutions, while 3D printing enables rapid prototyping of customized cell designs adapted to the specific redox chemistries and fluid dynamics under study.
Aqueous Battery Systems
Aqueous battery chemistries show great potential for environmentally friendly, sustainable and cost-effective energy storage. To circumvent the low electrochemical stability window of water (1.23 volts), concepts such as water-in-salt electrolytes, for example high salt-in-water concentrations, are applied. The HIMS group’s research focuses on the development of novel, alternative conducting salts with high solubility and strong coordination capacity of water, which also have good compatibility with selected electrodes for good cell performance.
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We are looking forward to future collaboration.